The 1830s in Cuba have seen a…

The 1830s in Cuba have seen a surge of the reformist movement, whose main leader is José Antonio Saco, standing out for his criticism of Spanish despotism and its slave trade.

Nevertheless, this surge bears no fruit; instead, Cubans remain deprived of the right to send representatives to the Spanish parliament and Madrid has stepped up repression.

Spain, which has long been under British pressure to end the trade of slaves, had in 1817 signed a first treaty to which it had not adhered.

With the abolition of slavery altogether in their colonies, the British had forced Spain to sign another treaty in 1835.

Cuban revolts have continued, including the "Gran Legión del Aguila Negra" (Great Legion of the Black Eagle) in 1829, and the "Cadena Triangular" (Triangular Chain) and "Soles de la Libertad" (Suns of Liberty) in 1837.

Leading national figures in these years are Félix Varela and Cuba's first revolutionary poet, José María Heredia.