In the late 19th century, the island nation of Cuba was fighting for its independence from Spain for a third time. During this time several revolutionaries came together and fought for not only an independent Cuba, but also for economic and racial justice on the island. José Martí and Máximo Gómez were two revolutionaries who wrote a manifesto in 1895 called “For the Good of America and the World.” Although both of the authors are credited to the manifesto’s writing, Martí was the main writer of the document and was also one of the primary leaders of the revolutionary party that he led, whereas Gómez was more involved in the military and combat aspects of the revolution.
Martí uses language very typical of revolutionaries, in that he calls for unity against their colonial oppressors. Specifically, he urges the Cuban people to wage war together against the Spaniards: “The war must be a product of a sincere brotherhood of Cubans of the most diverse origins, convinced that it is in the conquest of freedom…”[1]Although Martí is calling for war for Cuba’s independence, he makes sure to mention that this war “is not directed against the Spaniard,” and “to respect the neutral and honest Spaniard.”[2] Here, he is warning his fellow revolutionaries and comrades in war to not attack or demonize the Spanish people or innocent Spaniards who are not involved in their active oppression in Cuba. As well Martí emphasizes racial justice for Afro-Cubans on the island after the war is over, and deems racism towards Afro-Cubans “a charge wickedly made by the beneficiaries of the Spanish regime in order to stir up fear of the revolution.”[3]
This revolutionary manifesto from the 1890s represents
more than just an isolated revolutionary tendency. Martí’s manifesto also
represents a cultural tendency in the island nation of Cuba, in that they have
a culture rooted in revolutions. This revolution and the revolution in Cuba
that would come in the 1960s shows that the Cuban people are not averse to
revolutions. Revolutions inherently change culture, and without this revolution
in the 1890s the kind of support and power that the 1960s revolution brought
would not have happened. In the end Martí’s revolutionary words and actions
were a massive influence on Cuban culture and politics, and inspired later
revolutionary activity in Cuba decades afterward.
[1] Hoganson, Kristin. American Empire at the Turn of the Twentieth Century. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2017), 61.
[2] Hoganson, 61.
[3] Hoganson, 61.