Page 45 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

INTRODUCING CUBA  43

THE HISTORY OF CUBA

First inhabited in Pre-Columbian times, Cuba was later conquered by the Spanish,
who ruled here for four centuries. The island gained independence in 1898, only to
come under the virtual control of the US, with the help of dictators Machado and
Batista. The Revolution, headed by Fidel Castro, Rául Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos and
Che Guevara, who defeated Batista on 1 January 1959, was a turning point for the
country. The new political system achieved major social results and Cuba is now
finally emerging from decades of isolation.

Before the arrival of the Spanish, Cuba straightforward enterprise, because the
was inhabited by three Amerindian Indians put up little resistance, with the
ethnic groups: the Guanajatabey, Siboney excep tion of a few episodes. The chief Hatuey
and Taíno. The first were gatherers who led a rebellion in 1511–12, but was taken
lived in caves. The Siboney, hunters and prisoner and burnt at the stake (see p223).
fishermen, left behind the most interesting Diego Velázquez then turned to
Pre-Columbian rock paintings in the colonization. He founded the city of
country – more than 200 pictures in Baracoa, first capital of the island, in 1511;
the caves of Punta del Este on Isla de la San Salvador (present-day Bayamo) in
Juventud (see p155). The Taíno were 1513; San Cristóbal (the original Havana),
farmers and hunters thought to be from Santísima Trinidad (Trinidad) and Sancti
present-day Venezuela, and their culture, Spíritus in 1514; and Santiago de Cuba
the most advanced of the three, achieved and Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe
a primitive form of social organization. (present-day Camagüey) in 1515. The
On 28 October 1492, Christopher indigenous population was decimated
Columbus landed in Cuba during his despite vigorous defence by Friar
first voyage of discovery in the New Bartolomé de las Casas, so-called
World (see p218). He named it “Juana” in “Protector of the Indians”, and the Spanish
honour of the king of Spain’s son, but soon had to import slaves from western
the natives continued to call it “Cuba”. Africa to fulfil the need for labour on the
Columbus also revisited the southern sugar plantations that criss-crossed the
Cuban coastline on his second voyage island. Later, dissatisfied with the lack of
(1493–96), and fourth, and ultimate, voyage gold in Cuba, the Spanish began to use
(1502–04). From 1510 to 1514 Diego the island both as a base from which to
Velázquez de Cuellar, upon commission conquer other American territory, as well
from Columbus’s son, set about annexing as a port of call for ships taking the riches
the island to Spain. This proved to be a of the New World back to Spain.

Before 1492 Cuba 1512 Indian 1514 San Cristóbal (now
inhabited by Diego Velázquez resistance leader Havana), Santísima
Guanajatabey, Siboney de Cuellar Hatuey is killed by Trinidad (Trinidad) and
and Taíno Indians the Spanish Sancti Spíritus founded
Pre-Columbian age 1490 1500 1510
1510 Diego Velázquez de Cuellar 1515 Foundation of
28 October 1492 begins conquest of Cuba Santiago de Cuba
Christopher and Santa María del
Bust of Columbus, Columbus lands 1511 Foundation of Baracoa, Puerto del Príncipe
Museo de la on the island first city in Cuba (Camagüey)
Revolución, Havana
Detail from the painting Siempre Che (Che Forever) by Raúl Martínez

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