Carlos Manuel de Céspedes facts for kids

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes del Castillo (born April 18, 1819, in Bayamo, Spanish Cuba – died February 27, 1874, in San Lorenzo, Spanish Cuba) was a Cuban hero. He was a revolutionary leader and the first President of Cuba in 1868.

Céspedes owned a large farm where sugar was grown. He decided to free his slaves and declared Cuba's independence in 1868. This important event started the Ten Years' War (1868–1878). This war was the first of three major conflicts for Cuba's freedom. The last one, the Cuban War of Independence, finally ended Spanish rule in 1898. Cuba became fully independent in 1902.

Because of his brave actions, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes is known in Cuba as the "Father of the Fatherland."

The Fight for Freedom: Ten Years' War

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes was a lawyer and landowner in eastern Cuba. In 1844, after studying in Spain, he bought a sugar plantation called La Demajagua.

On October 10, 1868, Céspedes made a famous declaration known as the Grito de Yara (Cry of Yara). This moment marked the start of the Ten Years' War. That morning, he gathered his slaves by ringing the work bell. Instead of giving them work orders, he told them they were all free. He then invited them to join him and others in fighting against the Spanish government. This is why he is called Padre de la Patria (Father of the Country). In April 1869, he was chosen as the President of the Republic of Cuba in Arms.

The Ten Years' War was Cuba's first big effort to gain independence from Spain. It also aimed to free all slaves. The war was fought between two main groups. In eastern Cuba, tobacco farmers and landowners, along with many former slaves, fought for freedom. They were against the forces of the Spanish governor-general and the rich sugar plantation owners in western Cuba.

Historians say the war was a conflict between criollos (people born in Cuba) and peninsulares (people who had recently moved from Spain). At first, the Spanish forces and peninsulares were on the defensive. But over time, their greater resources helped them hold on.

Céspedes was removed from his leadership role in 1873. Spanish troops killed him in February 1874 in a mountain hideout. The new Cuban government had not allowed him to leave the country safely.

The war ended in 1878 with the Pact of Zanjón. This agreement offered some changes:

• All slaves and Chinese people who fought with the rebels were freed.
• No one would be punished for political actions during the war.

However, the pact did not free all slaves in Cuba, and it did not grant Cuba independence. The Grito de Yara did not achieve full freedom right away. But it lit a spark that would lead to future struggles. The lessons learned during this war were very important for the later Cuban War of Independence.

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes: His Life

Carlos Manuel de Céspedes was born in 1819 in Bayamo. His family was involved in sugar production. He studied at the University of Havana and finished his degree in 1840. He later moved to Spain to study law. While there, he took part in revolutionary activities against the government. He was arrested and had to leave Spain, going to France.

When he returned to Cuba, Céspedes became convinced that military action was the only way to make the island independent. He connected with other Cubans who wanted to end Spanish rule. Many of these leaders, like Céspedes, came from sugar-producing families in the eastern part of the island. This area was often poorer and less developed than the west.

Céspedes was married twice and had several children. His first marriage was in 1839 to Maria del Carmen de Cespedes y del Castilo. They had three children: Maria del Carmen, Oscar, and Carlos Manuel. His first wife passed away in 1867. In 1869, he married Ana Maria de Quesada y Loinaz. They had three children: Oscar, and twins Gloria and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada. His son, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada, later became President of Cuba for a short time in 1933.

Céspedes also had children with other women. One of his daughters, Carmen, was born in 1869. He sent her and her mother to Jamaica for their safety. Another son, Manuel, was born in Jamaica in 1872. Later, before he died, he had another son, Manuel Francisco.

A famous story about Céspedes involves his son Oscar. Spanish authorities captured Oscar. They offered to spare Oscar's life if Céspedes would resign as President of Cuba. Céspedes bravely replied that Oscar was not his only son. He said that every Cuban who had died for the revolution was also his son. Oscar was then executed by a Spanish firing squad.

Before the war, Céspedes was also a musician. He helped compose a romantic song called La Bayamesa. He also supported the work of his distant relative, Úrsula Céspedes, a writer.

His picture was on the 10 pesos bills in Cuba until 1960. After that, it was moved to the 100 pesos bill. A town in Camagüey Province, Carlos M. de Cespedes, is named after him.

Images for kids

• 

  Birthplace of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes

• 

  Statue of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes in Cespedes Park in Bayamo

See also

In Spanish: Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y del Castillo para niños