The people realized that they needed to be free but were not in a situation to take advantage of the fact, they were simply biding their time for freedom. The various rebellions over the years had taken its toll on the Cubans and none were in a hurry to create a situation that would adversely affect the land and the people.
There was a certain instability in the social classes as by 1884 the 'sugar nobility' was changing. They were unable to mobilize costs and this allowed the U.S. To penetrate the region. By 1894 it was U.S. resources that were allowing the plantation owners to survive heralding a wind of change. The previous rebellion of the Ten-Year War had created a patriot group that wanted freedom. The roots of the rebel groups came from the Creoles and men from the lower social strata. The society was in fact disintegrating in terms of the social segments and the ruthlessness of the Spanish commanders was further causing unrest.
The constant conflict though suggestively low was in fact creating a devastating effect of the land and the people. The economy was down and the Cubans were low on capital and high on debt. The masses were poor the black community was apathetic and the elite had broken down in terms of organization. The loyalists from the government to the merchants were no longer in control and had come to slowly hate the Spaniards. Of course a loyal group did remain but the constant struggle was leaving its mark as slow erosion of the society took place. [Beede, 1994]
Conclusion
Thus, the consequences of the series of events...
The realization that change was immeninet was a major cause of the Cuban rebellion. However, a fact that should not be forgotten was the majority of the rebels were blacks and slaves who had gained freedom as the elite lost their economic status. The Cubans to a large extent remained loyal until the end when the realization came that without taking a stand they would be exchanging one master for another.
Bibliography
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Beede, Benjamin R., ed., the War of 1898 and U.S. Interventions 1898-1934: An Encyclopedia (Military History of the United States, Vol 2. (New York: Garland publishing, Inc., 1994).
Bradford, James C., Crucible of Empire: The Spanish-American War & Its Aftermath. (Annapolis: United States Navy Institute Press, 1993.)
Brands, H.W., the Reckless Decade: America in the 1890s. (New York: St. Martins Press, 1995).
Halstead, Murat, the Story of the Philippines and Our New Possessions, including the Ladrones, Hawaii, Cuba and Porto Rico. (Chicago: Our Possessions Publishing Co.; Copyrighted, 1898 by H.L. Barber).
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