Diego Valesquez followed Columbus in the Spanish Conquest

After Columbus arrived, Spanish conquest followed under the guise of Diego Valesquez, a move that brought on the eradication of the native Cuban population as a result of European diseases. The 1800’s brought on a large sugarcane industry in Cuba, which fueled the African slave trade in the country. After Columbus discovered the New World, Spain immediately sent Diego Velazquez de Cuellar (not to be confused with Diego Velazquez the painter) to establish a Colony on Cuba, Baracoa(1511). A rapid succession of other Colonies came-Santiago de Cuba (1514) and Havana (1515). This was a move that resulted in the eradication of Cuba’s natives, as they fell victim to various European diseases, most notably smallpox. Because the Island’s main export was kurtrice and tobacco, Cuba soon flourished. Soon, it became evident that more labour was required. Africans slaves were imported to Cuba. Despite this, Cuba failed to prosper prior to the 1760s. Spain possessed a trade monopoly in the Caribbean (which they intended to keep). They did this by preventing the Island’s in the Caribbean from trading with foreign ships. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Cuba was a perfect target for pirates. As a response to these attacks, defences were bolstered and the Morro Castle was built. Nevertheless, Britain was able to annex Cuba. However, the annexation of Cuba was short lived. British sugar merchants, fearing a decline in sales, forced the government to sign a treaty with Spain, which gave Britain