The history of Cuba is quite interesting to say the least. Especially when you consider the political history of the country, which is glaringly unique. From its pre-Columbian inhabitants, to today’s Communist-bloc regime, Cuba history has seen more than its fair share of significant events and pivotal people. A most strategic possession during the time when European ships first took to crossing the great oceans, Cuba would follow the path of most Latin American countries, eventually falling under Spanish colonial rule. So important was Cuba to the Spanish Crown, that it was known to be referred to by them as the “Key to the New World”. In the past 50 years or so, Cuba history has seen a most interesting period, as Fidel Castro continues his long-running Communist reign, and according to some, it almost appears as if little has changed since Castro came into power. Cubans certainly have their opinions about their current Dictator, and depending on who you ask, he might even be looked at as a hero. One thing is for certain. As Fidel Castro’s health declines, and an imminent changing of the guard seems not too far off, it’s anyone’s guess as to the path Cuba will take in the future. Today’s events are tomorrow’s history, and so we shall see.
The first inhabitants of Cuba, as far as academics know,
were believed to have come by way of boat from South America
some 5,000-6,000 years ago. They were mostly hunters and
gatherers, and quite often looked to the sea for food.
The Taino Indians, who were derived from the Arawak, would
become one of Cuba’s primary, pre-Columbian civilizations,
arriving some time later from other Caribbean islands.
As the saying goes, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the
ocean blue”. On his trip to the New World, Christopher
Columbus, who was sailing in the name of the Spanish Crown,
sighted Cuba in this famous year. It wasn’t until
the early 1500's, however, when Spanish Conquistador,
Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, would officially
claim the island for Spain.
Velázquez would go on to establish the capital
of Havana on the southern coast
of the island, originally, but it would soon be relocated
to its present day location, largely in part because of
the site’s ideal harbor. As was the rule of the
Spanish, the Cuban natives would be enslaved and oppressed
if they did not convert to Christianity. Few pieces of
Cuba’s indigenous heritage survived the centuries
of Spanish rule.
Raiding pirates, the French, the English and a continuing list of invaders would present a persistent problem to Spanish Cuba, especially in the early days. French pirate vessels, which made an attack on Havana in 1538, were pretty much the last straw for Havana natives of the time in terms of living in fear. As a result, the Spanish began to build fortresses like the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and the Castillo del Morro. Both dating to the 1500's, they are two of Cuba’s best attractions, providing much insight into the times. Spain would rule Cuba for some 400 years, using the island as a docking point for New World riches that were to be shipped back to the homeland. The local economy during the Spanish times consisted mostly of agriculture and mining, with sugar and coffee among the top exports. Cattle ranching was also a big part of the economy, and as the enslaved natives, few of whom survived, were freed from the oppressive encomienda system, slaves from Africa would take their place. In 1762, the English came to occupy Havana for the better part of a year, bring in more slaves. As the United States was becoming an independent country, Cuba’s sugar market grew immensely, thus giving rise to the country’s thriving sugar trade. The 1791 Haiti slave uprising also took out the island’s main sugar competitor.
Trinidad, Cuba is a city
that retains many Spanish colonial vestiges, and cultural
tours here reveal quite a lot for those seeking History
on Cuba. Cuban history would see the Spanish begin to
lose their hold on things. As the 1800's wore on, Cuba
and Puerto Rico
became Spain’s only remaining New World territories,
and in 1868, Cuba’s people would stage the country’s
first War of Independence. Though they did not achieve
their goal, losing thousands of men over a period of 10
years, and some were exiled to the United States. Among
them was Cuba’s national hero, poet José
Martí. Martí, together with other Cuban
exiles, returned to Cuba, looking for another go at things,
more or less. He was shot and killed by Spanish soldiers
in 1895. Pro-Independence idealism would not die out,
however, and with U.S. intervention looming as a possibility,
the Spanish offered Cuban natives home rule if they agreed
to legislature elections. The offer was denied. When the
United States docked their battleship “Maine”
at Havana, the Spanish saw it as a threat. On February
15, 1898, the “Maine” was blown up, killing
hundreds of enlisted men onboard. Believing the Spanish
to be responsible, the U.S. was enraged, and thus you
have the Spanish-American War. Future American President,
Teddy Roosevelt, led his Rough Riders into battle at the
famed San Juan Hill, which is found near Santiago
de Cuba. America would prevail handily, and Roosevelt,
who became U.S. President in 1901, would grant Cuba their
formal independence.
Cuban history would see the country progress from here with heavy U.S. backing, though it would see skirmishes and small rebellions from time to time. Soviet influences would slowly become a part of Cuban affairs, and in the 1930's, Fulgencio Batista would look to the Communist Party of Cuba to win the Cuban Presidential election. After Batista’s initial term as President, corruption would lead to Havana seeing quite a bit of gambling money. Coincidently, gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano were known to set up mafia operations in Cuba. Batista would return to power after the 1952 Cuban election. Cuban had basically seen some pretty bad times during Batista’s reign, so you can imagine he had his detractors. On July1, 1959, Fidel Castro, a young lawyer-turned revolutionary, would successfully oust Batista, thus establishing the country’s Communist-backed government. Castro had been working on his assault on the country’s highest office for years, and had sailed to Cuba with a band of revolutionaries aboard the yacht, “Granma”. Ernesto Che Guevara was with Castro all the way, and the ship the rode in on can now be seen just behind the Havana Museum of the Revolution, which can be found in the Old Havana district. The United States would grow increasingly upset with Castro’s government, which continues to affect U.S.-Cuban relations to this day. The historic Bay of Pigs invasion, which occurred in 1961, was followed by the Cuban Missile Crisis, but the two countries have avoided all out warfare. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, Fidel Castro’s health is of primary concern these days, and Cuba history will soon begin a new chapter, for better or worse.
