Description
THE CHINESE IN THE CUBAN INDEPENDENCE
Book Summary
This work by Gonzalo de Quesada recovers the memory of the Chinese community during the Cuban War of Independence of 1898. The author, a relevant figure in the Cuban Revolutionary Party, not only narrates heroic episodes of the Chinese fighters but also analyzes their migration process since 1847, the harsh conditions of the journey, and the mortality rate during the voyage. A study that documents the psychosocial traits of this community and its influence on the island's culture, offering a unique perspective on a little-known chapter of Cuban history.
What is it about?
The book examines the participation of Chinese immigrants in the Cuban War of Independence of 1898, a frequently omitted historical episode. Gonzalo de Quesada, from his position as a key figure in the Cuban Revolutionary Party, describes the heroic actions of these fighters on the battlefield. However, the work goes beyond a war chronicle. The author documents the migration process since June 1847, when the first shipment of Chinese workers arrived on the island from Ogneredo, and reveals shocking data: of the 50,123 Chinese who left their country for Cuba until 1859, 7,622 perished during the voyage. Furthermore, it analyzes the psychosocial traits of this community and its influence on Cuban culture, offering an integral vision of its contribution to national identity.
Main themes
- Participation of the Chinese community in the Cuban War of Independence of 1898.
- Migration process of Chinese workers to Cuba since 1847.
- Conditions of the transoceanic journey and mortality during the voyage.
- Psychosocial traits of the Chinese community in Cuba.
- Influence of Chinese culture on Cuban identity.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at historians, students of Latin American and Caribbean history, and readers interested in the Cuban War of Independence from non-traditional perspectives. It is also of great value to those researching the Chinese diaspora in America, 19th-century migration processes, and the impact of Asian communities on the cultural formation of Caribbean nations.
What this book contributes
- Rigorous documentation of a little-known aspect of Cuban history: Chinese participation in independence.
- Concrete data on the migration process and the harsh travel conditions of Chinese workers.
- Analysis of the psychosocial traits of the Chinese community and its integration into Cuban society.
- A perspective that connects military history with the social and cultural history of the island.
Technical specifications
- Author: de Quesada, Gonzalo
- Publisher: LINKGUA
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: HISTORY
- Publication date: December 2017
- Number of pages: 26
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial review
A brief but substantial work that sheds light on the contribution of the Chinese community to the independence of Cuba, a topic relegated in traditional historiography. Gonzalo de Quesada combines historical testimony with social and demographic analysis, offering a text of great value for those seeking to understand the diversity of actors who participated in the construction of the Cuban nation. Its documentary focus and brevity make it an accessible and revealing read.