Colonial Reckoning: Race and Revolution in Nineteenth-Century Cuba

In Colonial Reckoning, Louis A. Pérez Jr. explores the wars for independence in Cuba in the second half of the 19th century, focusing on the loyalists who fought alongside Spain against a separatist insurgency. He challenges the narrative that it was a struggle between Cubans of color and white elites and shows that the fight was complex with many factions with unique motivations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his book "Colonial Reckoning: Cuba's Wars for Independence in the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century," Louis A. Pérez Jr. delves into the intricate and complex wars fought by Cubans in the second half of the 19th century, with a specific focus on those who remained loyal to Spain. Pérez employs a wide range of sources, including newspaper articles, personal letters, military battle reports, government commissions, consular reports, literature, and other materials, to shed light on the experiences of black, white, and creole Cubans who defended the Spanish empire as paramilitary guerrillas alongside white elites. Through his meticulous research, Pérez demonstrates how these loyalist Cubans played a crucial role in helping the Spanish fight a separatist insurgency composed of a diverse population of Cubans with their own competing visions of sovereignty and contested meanings of nation.

What makes Pérez's work particularly compelling is his challenge to mythical and historiographical narratives that suggest Cuban national liberation was a struggle solely waged between Cubans of color and white elites beholden to Spain. In reality, the fight was far more complex and multifaceted, with a great number of factions with unique and evolving motivations. Pérez interrogates anew the multifaceted social dimensions and multiple political aspects of the complex drama of Cuban national formation, providing a fresh and nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in Cuban history.

One of the key insights that Pérez brings to light is the role of race and ethnicity in shaping the course of the Cuban wars for independence. He shows how black, white, and creole Cubans, despite their differences, came together to defend the Spanish empire as a unified force. This unity was not based on a shared sense of identity or common political goals, but rather on a shared sense of opposition to the separatist insurgency. Pérez highlights the complex dynamics of race and identity that played out during this period, as Cubans of different backgrounds sought to assert their own sovereignty and place within the Spanish empire.

Another important aspect of Pérez's work is his examination of the political dimensions of the Cuban wars for independence. He shows how the struggle for sovereignty was not just a matter of national identity, but also a complex web of political alliances and rivalries. Pérez explores the complex relationships between different factions within the Cuban resistance, including the machete-wielding guerrillas, the political parties, and the Spanish government. He demonstrates how these relationships were shaped by a range of factors, including economic interests, social class, and regional power dynamics.

Pérez's book also sheds light on the human cost of the Cuban wars for independence. He documents the devastating impact of the conflict on the Cuban population, including the widespread suffering and loss of life. Pérez highlights the role that the Spanish government played in exacerbating the suffering of the Cuban people, through policies such as forced labor, massacres, and the concentration of wealth among a small elite.

In conclusion, "Colonial Reckoning: Cuba's Wars for Independence in the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century" is a groundbreaking work that provides a fresh and nuanced understanding of the Cuban wars for independence. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Louis A. Pérez Jr. challenges traditional narratives and sheds light on the complex social, political, and historical dimensions of this pivotal period in Cuban history. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of colonialism, nationalism, and the struggle for liberation in the Americas.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478020684