Bartolomé Masó facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bartolomé Masó
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Bartolomé Masó on a 1910 Cuban stamp
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| Born |
Bartolomé de Jesús Masó Márquez
December 21, 1830 |
| Died | June 14, 1907 (aged 76) |
| Occupation | Politician and military |
Bartolomé de Jesús Masó Márquez (born December 21, 1830, in Yara – died June 14, 1907, in Manzanillo) was an important Cuban leader. He was a politician and a military man who fought for Cuba's freedom from Spain. He even became the President of the "Republic in Arms," which was the government set up by the Cuban rebels during their fight for independence.
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The Life of Bartolomé Masó
Growing Up and Standing Up
Bartolomé Masó was born in Yara, Cuba. His father was from Catalonia (a region in Spain), and his mother was Cuban. As a young man, he worked in business and loved to write poems.
In 1851, he spoke out against the execution of Narciso López, a Cuban independence fighter. Because of this, the Spanish rulers started watching him closely.
Joining the Fight for Freedom
In 1867, important Cuban leaders like Carlos Manuel de Céspedes began planning for Cuba's independence. Masó was one of the first people to join their cause.
On October 10, 1868, he joined Céspedes in the famous "Cry of Yara" uprising. This event marked the start of the Ten Years' War, Cuba's first major war for independence. Masó helped capture the city of Bayamo and fought in many battles.
After Céspedes died, Masó became a representative for the Oriente Province. Later, he was named Secretary of War for the Cuban Revolutionary Party. He became a brigadier general in the army.
After the Ten Years' War ended in 1879, Masó was sent to prison by the Spanish. He was held in different castles in Cuba and Puerto Rico, and even in a prison in Cádiz, Spain. Eventually, he was set free and traveled through Europe before returning to Cuba.
Leading the War of Independence
The Cuban War of Independence began on February 24, 1895. Masó took command of the rebel forces in Oriente until other key generals arrived. He fought in the battle of Bayate. He was with José Martí, another Cuban hero, just before Martí died in battle on May 19, 1895.
In September 1895, Masó was chosen as the vice president of the "Republic in Arms." This was the temporary government of the Cuban rebels. Two years later, on October 30, 1897, he was elected president of this revolutionary government. He served as president until November 7, 1898.
After the War
In 1901, when Cuba was about to elect its first official president, Masó ran for the position. However, he decided to withdraw his candidacy. This happened partly due to pressure from the United States. The U.S. wanted to have a say in Cuba's new government through something called the Platt Amendment, which Masó did not agree with.
Bartolomé Masó passed away on June 14, 1907, in Manzanillo. He is buried in the city's cemetery.
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