from cottage to cubanDuring the pre-colonial era, tobacco was used primarily for spiritual purposes. However, with the advent of colonialism came the increased extraction of natural resources, and because of Cuba's tropical climate, tobacco and sugar became incredibly popular industries. During the early nineteenth century, the government began to subsidize of the industry, which incited the relationship between the government and corporations.
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brokeragePrior to the 1830's, cigars were mostly produced and smoked recreationally. They were made infrequently, and often only to supplement income. However, in the early 1830's, the industry became brokered, meaning that several entrepreneurs purchased cigars from Cuban tobacco farmers and then resold them at higher rates.
They placed brands on them, and then sold them in Havana in specialized cigar shops called chinchales. People all over the world were amazed by the quality of both the tobacco and the cigar's production itself, and soon, the industry took off beyond local consumption. Small tobacco farms were consolidated into large tobacco plantations, and large scale factory production in urban centers replaced the cottage industry. |
THE GROWTH OF CITIES
u r b a n i z a t i o n
Soon, small tobacco farms turned into plantations, and just as what once was a cottage industry became large-scale, so too did desolate towns grow into booming urban centers. Drag the slider at the right from right to left to see the consolidation of Cuban cities from 1820 to 1899. |
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References
"Cuba Marks 50 Years Since 'Triumphant Revolution.'" Jason Beaubien. NPR. 1 January 2009. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98937598
"Cuba receives first US shipment in 50 years." Al Jazeera. 14 July 2012. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/07/20127147196482238.html
Lazo, Mario (1970). American Policy Failures in Cuba – Dagger in the Heart. Twin Circle Publishing Co.: New York. pp. 198–200, 204. Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 68-31632.
Julia E. Sweig (2004). Inside the Cuban Revolution. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
"Cuba receives first US shipment in 50 years." Al Jazeera. 14 July 2012. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/07/20127147196482238.html
Lazo, Mario (1970). American Policy Failures in Cuba – Dagger in the Heart. Twin Circle Publishing Co.: New York. pp. 198–200, 204. Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 68-31632.
Julia E. Sweig (2004). Inside the Cuban Revolution. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.