Spanish Settlement

After the discovery of Cuba by Christopher Columbus at october 28 of 1492, the spanish settlement started in the Island.

The Colonizers arrived and once and for all they imposed customs, culture and ways, that anything had to see with who they constituted the autochthonous population until then.

The conquest of the Island for Spain almost begins for the Oriente of Cuba two decades after Colón's first trip, like part of the occupation process that was irradiated toward diverse lands of Caribbean.

To Diego Velázquez, one of the richest colonists in The Spaniard, took charge to subdue the Cuban territory that began in 1510 with a lingering acknowledgment operation and conquer, plagued of bloody incidents.

Alerted about the outrages made by the Spaniards in the neighboring islands, the aboriginal of the Oriente of Cuba resisted the Hispanic invasion, directed by Yahatuey or Hatuey, a fugitive cacique of The Spaniard who finally was captured and burnt alive as punishment.

Rebellion of Hatuey

The situation for the conquerors became very difficult in Baracoa. They hoped to find a docile and peaceful population, but soon they had to face the attack of their inhabitants. Hatuey resorted to guerrilla tactics against the Spaniards, and was able to confine them to their fort at Baracoa. Hatuey was able to gather about 300 armed men with macanas, stone axes and wooden lances, to confront the conquerors ... read more.

Settlement

After finishing with the rebellion of Hatuey, Diego Velázuez was determined to begin the conquest and colonization of the rest of the island. And with that purpose he organized his men in groups wich some Indians were incorporated, to use them in the hardest works, as making roads among the dense forests, to load on their backs weapons and tools, and to look for foods ... read more.

Slavery and Rebellion in Cuba

The first authorization of the king from Spain to introduce black slaves in Cuba, took place in 1512. The fundamental cause to bring them was their strength and performance at work in comparison with the aborigines ... read more.

Development and Civilization Stage

At the beginning of the XVII century, the Island of Cuba, that had about 30 000 inhabitants in that moment, was divided in two governments, one in Havana and another in Santiago de Cuba ...

The new factories or trapiches were located in the vicinities of the urban centers. In 1740 the Real Company of Trade of Havana was established ...

In the very short period of two year, in Havana the fortresses of El Morro, La Fuerza and La Punta are reconstructed ... Toward 1774, the system was completed with the amplification of the castles of San Severino in Matanzas and El Morro in Santiago de Cuba ...

Havana increased the pavimentación and it began the illumination of the streets, it prepared sanitary measures, and it began the construction of the first Havanan walk, La Alameda de Paula ... read more.

Learn more about Cuba History

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