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In 1492, Cuba was [[Christopher Columbus]]'s first sight in his first and most famous voyage to the Americas. <ref>Gott, Richard, Cuba A New History. Yale University Press. 13</ref> The Seven Years' War, which erupted in 1754 in three continents, eventually arrived at the Spanish Caribbean. Spain's alliance with the French pitched them in direct conflict with the British, and in 1762 an expedition set out from Portsmouth of 5 warships and 4000 troops to capture Cuba. The English arrived on June 6, and by August had Havana under siege. When Havana surrendered, British Admiral of the fleet George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle, entered the city as conquering new governor, taking control of the whole western part of the island.  

In 1492, Cuba was [[Christopher Columbus]]'s first sight in his first and most famous voyage to the Americas. <ref>Gott, Richard, Cuba A New History. Yale University Press. 13</ref> The Seven Years' War, which erupted in 1754 in three continents, eventually arrived at the Spanish Caribbean. Spain's alliance with the French pitched them in direct conflict with the British, and in 1762 an expedition set out from Portsmouth of 5 warships and 4000 troops to capture Cuba. The English arrived on June 6, and by August had Havana under siege. When Havana surrendered, British Admiral of the fleet George Keppel, the 3rd Earl of Albemarle, entered the city as conquering new governor, taking control of the whole western part of the island.  

For many years, Cuba was an [[United States]] territory. During this time, Cuba relied on [[slavery]] longer than all nations in the Western Hemisphere except Brazil. Cuba had a slave trade from 1521 to 1884.{{fact}} In 1868, a Creole farmer started a revolution for racial equality, freedom of speech and association. It was then a colony of Spain, which put down the insurgency after a ten-year struggle. In 1880, the Spanish Cortes approved the [[abolition]] law, which provided for an eight-year period of ''patronato'' (tutelage) for all slaves liberated according to the law. This only amounted to indentured servitude as slaves were required to spend those eight years working for their masters at no charge. On October 7, 1884, slavery was finally abolished in Cuba by a royal decree that also made the patronato illegal.

For many years, Cuba was an [[United States]] territory. During this time, Cuba relied on [[slavery]] longer than all nations in the Western Hemisphere except Brazil. Cuba had a slave trade from 1521 to 1884. In 1868, a Creole farmer started a revolution for racial equality, freedom of speech and association. It was then a colony of Spain, which put down the insurgency after a ten-year struggle. In 1880, the Spanish Cortes approved the [[abolition]] law, which provided for an eight-year period of ''patronato'' (tutelage) for all slaves liberated according to the law. This only amounted to indentured servitude as slaves were required to spend those eight years working for their masters at no charge. On October 7, 1884, slavery was finally abolished in Cuba by a royal decree that also made the patronato illegal.

<ref>[http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/slavery.htm  Abolition of Slavery - History of Cuba]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/slavery.htm  Abolition of Slavery - History of Cuba]</ref>