This is not to say that Cubans…

This is not to say that Cubans had made no attempts to separate from Spain in the first part of the century.

As early as 1809, at a time of turmoil and rebellion against Spanish power in Latin America, several Cubans conspired to gain independence for Cuba.

Lacking widespread popular support, however, the early attempts at independence were weakened by several factors.

Among these were the growth of the sugar industry and of wealth in general, the fear of a black rebellion, and the increased sentiment in favor of annexation by the United States.

Then, too, a number of Spanish royalists and troops had settled in Cuba following their defeat in Latin America.

Cuba had become a heavily fortified garrison, the last significant bastion of Spanish power in the New World.