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Cuba in the Age of Revolution (1774-1849) (Context (Revolutions (France…
Cuba in the Age of Revolution (1774-1849)
Context
Revolutions
America 1776
France 1789-99
Ideology of equality, liberty and fraternity - didn't apply to colonies
Haiti 1791-1804
Slave revolution, freedom
Scared nearby colonies
Exaggeration of atrocities by slaves and downturn held as an example of inferiority
Inspired slave communities
Different ideas of liberty and freedom
Change in politics
From monarchies to republics with a constitution
Everyone can claim their rights and sue if misrepresented
Latin American Wars of Independence 1808-33
New empires e.g. Brazil and Mexico - result of revolutions
Economic changes/industrial revolution
Cultural diversity and economic potential of Caribbean makes it unusual
Slavery in Cuba
Resistance
La Escalera
Mass repression by Spanish - torture
British influence
Role of freed slaves and mixed race communities - Placido
Largely orchestrated by them
Thought to be much wider than it probably was
Mass suicides
Rebellions
Escape
Contemporary articles of masters asking for help to recapture the slaves
Cultural - hair, music dress,
Use of colonial laws, esp. in Spanish colonies - can't be punished for no reason
Last country in the world to stop Atlantic slave trade
Brazil and Cuba last to abolish slavery
Increase in activity in mid 19th c. despite slave trade being banned in 1820
Large jump in number of slaves - ideological, political, social changes
Slavery liberalised - not just government, anyone could go
Major economic activity
Cuba became world's biggest sugar producer after Haitian Revolution & Industrial Revolution
Increase in Plantations - ~20 yr life expectancy
Profit for slave traders
Slave trade fundamental
Grows end of 18th c.
Pro-Independence Movements in Cuba
Early 1800s variety of movements
Mostly in urban areas
1812 Aponte Conspiracy and Revolt
Involved free coloured Cubans and slaves
Had strong links to the Haitian Revolution and some of its leaders
Named after likelty leader, Jose Aponte
Had branches all over the islamd
1823 Conspiracy of the Black Eagle and
Very little is known about it, including who was involved - name comes from tavern where they used to meet
Frightened Spanish authorities
1829 Conspiracy of the Soles y Rayos de Bolivar
Linked to events in Gran Columbia
Trying to convince leader, Bolivar, to send a force to liberate Cuba
Why did Cuba stay Spanish?
Political repression
Political stability to gain
Cuban elites reinforcing the idea that Cuba is under threat and it won't change - from slave communities, British
Will be protected by Spanish
Interests in staying within empire - benefit from slave trade, even though illegal
Ideological justification - even though slavery is evil, that's what their economy is built on
Corruption
#
Illegal slave trading tolerated
Bribes on every level of government
Everyone as rich or richer than authorities
Demographic
Diverse community due to amount of immigration from all over the world
Creole Sacarocrazy
New class/social group emerged after the Haitian Revolution - changes in distribution of wealth and power
Included some Spanish and some officials but mostly not
Creole = born on island, descended entirely or partially from white European settlers
Became richest on island, richer than Spanish
Sugar producers and exporters - grew in first part of 19th c - when still legal
Spanish
Previously most powerful and wealthy on island