The makeup of Cuba in the late
nineteenth century is much the same as it is today. Nearly
66% of the population are white and of Spanish descent.
About 22% are of mixed racial heritage, and 12% of the
populace is black. Cuba lies to the south of the United
States, and is most easily accessible by boat from the
Florida region. It is this naval quality that encompasses the
island. During the Ten Years War, between 1868-1878,
the Cubans fought against Spanish rule in their country.
Rebellion broke out around the island, and the rebels
joined under a united leader, Carlos de Cespedes, a
wealthy planter, who proclaimed independence from Spain.
Nearly 200,000 lives were lost, until the Treaty of El
Zanjun was signed. This agreement promised the
government would reform and abolish slavery and the
tyrannical rule it held over the Cubans. The treaty was not
honored however, and resistance was again put up in
1885. The Spanish king at the time Alfonso XIII,
encouraged the......
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