Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de

Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de, 1819–74, Cuban revolutionist

Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de (kär`lōs mänwĕl` dā sā`spāthās), 1819–74, Cuban revolutionist. He completed his education in Spain and there took part (1843) in a revolution led by Juan Prim. On returning (1868) to Cuba he began the revolt by proclaiming the demands of Cuban liberals. The Ten Years War followed. He was elected president by the revolutionists (1869), but other leaders, notably Ignacio Agramonte, disagreed with him; discontent increased, and he was deposed (1873). He was killed in 1874, probably by Spanish soldiers.

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Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de, 1871–1939, president of Cuba

Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de, 1871–1939, president of Cuba (1933), b. New York City; son of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1819–74). He actively participated in the Revolution of 1895 and the Spanish-American War. When Gerardo Machado was overthrown in Aug., 1933, Céspedes became provisional president, but was forced to resign after a coup (Sept. 5) by a student junta supporting Ramón Grau San Martín.

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Céspedes (y Borja del Castillo), Carlos Manuel de

(born April 18, 1819, Bayamo, Cuba—died March 22?, 1874, San Lorenzo) Cuban revolutionary hero. Born to a prominent plantation family, he studied law in Spain. On returning to Cuba, he opened a law practice and secretly organized an independence movement. He launched his insurrection in 1868. Thousands flocked to his rebel army, which scored some stunning victories. He led a revolutionary government, which actively sought annexation by the U.S. Céspedes was deposed in 1873 and went into hiding, but he was discovered and shot by Spanish troops.

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Céspedes, Carlos Manuel de 

Born Apr. 18, 1819, in Bayamo; died Feb. 27, 1874, in San Lorenzo. A leader in Cuba’s Ten Years’ War (1868–78), against the Spanish colonialists.

The son of a well-to-do planter, Céspedes studied in Havana and at the universities of Barcelona and Madrid. After freeing his own slaves, he called on them to take part in the liberation struggle. In October 1868 he assumed command of the army of liberation and promulgated the manifesto “A Call From Yara,” which declared Cuba independent. In 1869 he helped draft the first Cuban constitution. In 1874 he was taken prisoner by the Spanish and executed. A great Cuban patriot, Céspedes is known as the father of his country.