Empire Rising: Spain

In July 1877, just when the development of various sectors in Spain was flourishing, news from across the Atlantic immediately wiped the smiles off the Spanish Government’s faces.

After Carlo had just been crowned King of Spain, the Spanish Government had dispatched an expeditionary force to Cuba to quell the rebellion.

At that time, Cuba was not only one of Spain’s few large colonies but also the Spanish Government’s cash cow.

The land area of the Cuban Colony was less than 110,000 square kilometers, with a population of just over one million.

But it was this small area of land that provided the Spanish Government with significant annual revenue.

With the development of the industrial revolution, the demand for sugar in Europe and America continued to increase. In 1840 alone, the total sugar production in Cuba exceeded the combined output of the British West Indies.

Around 1860, Cuba’s annual sugar production had already exceeded 500,000 tons, accounting for more than a third of the world’s annual sugar output.

It was Cuba’s enormous sugar production that earned it the nickname of the world’s sugar bowl. Just by exporting sugar, it could earn a vast amount of profit every year, not to mention that Cuba also cultivated large quantities of tobacco and coffee.

As is well known, colonization by Western countries was accompanied by cruel oppression and exploitation. Spain reaped substantial profits from Cuba every year, which made the native white Cubans somewhat discontented.

Although they also had Spanish blood, their ties with Spain were not particularly deep. Their ancestors traveled across the ocean to Cuba, not to be exploited by the Spanish Government after finally becoming affluent.

For this reason, the native white Cubans were increasingly dissatisfied with the Spanish colonial government, and they were one of the main culprits continuously plotting independence movements in Cuba.

However, the population of these whites was just over 450,000, and they were only one of the ethnic groups on this land opposing Spanish colonial rule.

Besides these white natives, the freed black slaves and the indigenous people of Cuba were also opponents of Spanish colonial domination.

Aside from those still enslaved, nearly all the residents of Cuba were opposing Spanish colonial rule.

Historically, Spain expended too much energy and funds in suppressing the Cuban rebellion, not only causing Spain to miss its golden development opportunities but also depleting its national power.

Carlo, of course, knew that the complex situation in Cuba was not just a natural evolution but involved the tactics of the British and Americans.

The British, known for their meddlesome nature in Europe, naturally took an interest in Cuba, which was already a highly valuable land.

For the United States, Cuba was a colonial land right on its doorstep, and it was impossible for them not to have any ambitions.

Previously, Spain’s strength was too formidable, which deterred the Americans from confronting Spain. But during Queen Isabella’s reign, Spain’s comprehensive power continuously diminished, leading Americans to develop different ideas.

Even though Spain had achieved some recovery under Carlo’s rule, the Americans had also made certain developments during this period.

For the Americans, the land of Cuba had become an indispensable area. Whenever Spain fell into chaos again, perhaps that would be the time for the Americans to take action on Cuba.

Although Carlo understood the chaotic situation in Cuba at that time, it was also an opportunity he had waited for.

What opportunity? Of course, it was the chance to exchange Cuba for other more beneficial colonies.

Cuba, indeed, was an excellent colony, providing Spain with far more benefits annually than colonies like the Philippines and the Congo Territory, which remained underdeveloped.

But the problem with Cuba was its proximity to the United States’ doorstep, combined with its separation from Spain by the entire Atlantic Ocean, and the fact that Spain had already lost most of its colonies in America, rendering it difficult for Spain to exert substantial influence over Cuba.

Both the white and black populations of Cuba were resisting Spanish colonial rule, partly due to the harshness of Spanish domination and partly because Spain found it challenging to assert control over Cuba.

For Carlo, Cuba was no longer a colony worth investing in. With both England and America coveting Cuba, it was very difficult for Spain to hold onto it.

Even if Spain could win against the United States in the Spanish-American War in the future, it might not be worth the effort. If Cuba could be exchanged for other more valuable colonies, investing time and funds into these more worthwhile colonies would be far more beneficial for Spain.

Through the exchange of the Cuban Colony, Carlo could even achieve some of his objectives. The United States had long been coveting Cuba; if it were exchanged with superpowers like England and France, would the Americans still dare to wage war to seize Cuba?

The answer is, of course, no.

What kind of great power would America be without colonies? At most, it’s just an upstart with a relatively advanced industrial and economic status.

As long as America does not take its first step towards expansion, it will find it challenging to wield influence on the international stage.

Don’t be misled by America’s current population and industrial economy, which far surpass those of Spain. In terms of international influence and status, America still pales in comparison to the five traditional great powers of Europe, only slightly better than Spain and Italy.