Editing History of Cuba (section)

===Background===
During the time of the so-called "Rewarding Truce", which encompassed the 17&nbsp;years from the end of the Ten Years' War in 1878, fundamental changes took place in Cuban society. With the abolition of slavery in October 1886, former slaves joined the ranks of farmers and urban working class. Most wealthy Cubans lost their rural properties, and many of them joined the urban middle class. The number of sugar mills dropped and efficiency increased, with only companies and the most powerful plantation owners owning them. The numbers of [[Peasant|campesinos]] and tenant farmers rose considerably. Furthermore, American [[capital (economics)|capital]] began flowing into Cuba, mostly into the sugar and tobacco businesses and mining. By 1895, these investments totalled $50&nbsp;million. Although Cuba remained Spanish politically, economically it became increasingly dependent on the United States.<ref>Cantón Navarro, José. ''History of Cuba''. pp. 53–55.</ref>

These changes also entailed the rise of labour movements. The first Cuban labour organization, the Cigar Makers Guild, was created in 1878, followed by the Central Board of Artisans in 1879, and many more across the island.<ref>Cantón Navarro, José. ''History of Cuba''. pp. 55–57.</ref> Abroad, a new trend of aggressive American influence emerged. Secretary of State [[James G. Blaine]] placed particular importance on the control of Cuba: "If ever ceasing to be Spanish, Cuba must necessarily become American and not fall under any other European domination".<ref name="wqswxw">{{Cite web |url=http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/scaw/scaw1.htm |title=Spanish-Cuban-American War – History of Cuba|access-date=19 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416011747/http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/scaw/scaw1.htm |archive-date=16 April 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>