Cuba Under Spanish Rule

            As Cuba was made into a colony, Native peoples were put to use as slave laborers, and by mid 1500, the majority of the Indigenous population was dead, and a large amount of African slaves were imported to the island. Cuba was also valued by the Spanish as strategically important for controlling the local waterways. In 1569, Havana, Cuba was the central hub for Spanish treasure ships returning to Spain, and the center of all colonial activity. In Cuba’s first change of possession, the British captured Cuba in 1762 during the Seven Years War, or as Americans call it, The French and Indian War. The worst Britain did to Cuba was to make some trade reforms to steal Cuban wealth, all else remained normal for colonial activity. In 1763, almost as soon as it had been taken, Cuba was returned to Spain and the war was over. Spain then made reforms, easing trade restrictions, abolished duties on imports, and opened free slave trade. The economy flourished as a result, and sugar became the colonies greatest export.

            As time progressed, unrest grew in the small colony. In 1812, Antonio Aponte began planning a slave rebellion to take control of the island. However, his efforts were discovered and he and his followers were hanged. This was the beginning of a darker time in Cuba. (2)