A revolution is a radical change of an established government, political system, or social structure often accompanied by violence. Imperialism is the policy of extending the rule of an empire or nation over other countries or acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies. Both of these concepts were key during the Cuban revolution held in the XXth century. The Cuban revolution was an armed revolt led by Fidel Castro’s 26th of july movement and allies against the authoritarian government of Cuban president Fulgencio Batista. The revolution started in 1953 and lasted 5 years and a half until 1959 when the rebels finally ousted Batista, however the causes to it weren’t just short term but also long term ones. The purpose of this essay is to analyze both of this types of causes which led together to start the revolution.
The long term causes started with the Cuban ten years war also known as the great war in 1868 to 1878. This war was part of Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain due to that it was the first of 3 wars between the 2 countries. In October 10 1868 sugar mill owner, Carlos Manuel Cespedes and his followers proclaimed independence beginning the conflict. The Cuban people demanded 4 main things to the Spanish parliament: Tariff reform, Cuban representation in parliament, judicial equality with Spaniards and full enforcement of a slave trade ban, however the Spanish government denied all of this demands which caused discontent among Cubans and ended in a conflict. The war finally ended because the rebels lacked of organization, resources, participation of the white race, the inability to bring the war to western provinces (such as Havana) and the Us opposition to Cuban independence (it sold weapons to Spain). The pact of Zanjon was signed in February 1878 which promised reforms to improve the financial situation. In 1880 slavery was abolished in Cuba.