Cuban Studies Institute

Organized in the early 1900s by a group of radical Blacks unhappy with their lack of political opportunities, the “Independent Color Association” developed into a political party during the second United States intervention.  Despite its appeal to the racial consciousness of the Blacks, the party did poorly in the 1908 elections, a fiasco that increased […]

Weekly four-page newspaper that succeeded the original Gaceta de la Habana from October 24, 1790.  Founded by Governor Luis de las Casas, and edited by Diego de la Barrera, its contributors included Arango y Parreño, Tomás Romay, Félix Varela, and José A. Caballero.  In 1791 it became biweekly and in 1793 became Cuba’s first daily

Founded in 1878 as the Partido Liberal, it advocated home rule for Cuba (Autonomismo) and in 1881 became known as the Partido Liberal Autonomista.  Its program also included the abolition of slavery, white immigration, and economic liberalization. By 1892, with no changes forthcoming from Spain, disillusionment and frustration gripped the party, many of whose members

The Cuban Revolutionary Party was conceived from the set of resolutions or bases that evolved out of an exile meeting led by Jose Martí in Key West on January 5, 1892.  These bases represented a pragmatic approach to Cuba’s situation, appealed to all classes and races, and discussed Cuba as a factor in the international

The reform commission, created by a Spanish royal decree of November 25, 1865, of 12 Creole and 4 Spanish-born members, elected March 25, 1866, met in Madrid, adopting reforms, which included representation in the Cortes, equality of access to civil employment, freedom from arbitrary arrest and search, and revised civil and criminal codes.  The commissioners

The movement for reform (reformismo) in Cuba, began in the early 19th century, received new impetus by mid-century.  The drive for annexation was faltering and a feeling of nationalism developing.  But violent opposition to Spanish rule had failed and the idea of independence was still nascent.  The reformers sought numerous political and economic concessions from