27. Filibuster Wars (1848-1856)
27. Filibuster Wars (1848-1856)
In 1848, Caracas born Narciso Lopez was one of those arrested by the Spanish when they were rounding up Cuban Revolutionaries. He was then expelled by Spanish authorities.
Lopez went to the United States planning a filibustering expedition. He started his recruiting in New York city. He gained support from influential Americans- John. L. O'Sullivan, and Senator Jefferson Davis. John. L. O'Sullivan was one of popular columnist with articles publishing United States manifest destiny. Senator Davis recommended one of his friends, a veteran of North American War, Major Robert E. Lee. Major Lee accepted the offer after a month of consideration. Many more Americans contributed financially.
Major Robert E. Lee
They recruited Cuban exiles, American volunteers and gathered finances, setting sail in 1850 from New Orleans to Cuba.
After the United States loss during the North American war, U.S. eyed expansion southward towards the Caribbean.
United States offered to purchase Cuba from Spain for $10M. Initially the Spanish refused. U.S. threatened Spain with war. With the initial success of Lopez-Lee expedition, the dwindling finances of Spain, Spain just came from the Second Carlist war, Spain sells Cuba and Puerto Rico for $12M.
Cuba was accepted to the United States as a slave state.
After the success of acquiring Cuba, the United States set another target. The French Empire under Napoleon II have been eyeing to reconquer Hispaniola. Louis might have slipped his tongue during his visit in United States to acquire support. With Napoleon II in power, the United States feared another French invasion in Hispaniola.
The island of Hispaniola has been at war since 1844. Haiti united the island in 1822 conquering the Republic of Spanish Haiti. In 1844, Republic of Spanish Haiti, now known as Dominican Republic, declared independence from Haiti. The Dominican Republic had requested aid from the United States. The government was in debt and the war for Independence against Haiti still rages on. The Dominicans even asked for annexation.
In 1851, the United States landed troops in the Dominican Republic and attacked Haiti from the Sea and from the Dominican Republic. By 1854, both nations were pacified at a high cost due to deaths caused by yellow fever. The United States accepted Haiti and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) as both slave states.
William Walker who became the editor of New Orleans pushed the idea of conquering vast regions of Central America to be unified with the United States and creating slave states. He was supported by the Knights of the Golden Circle. It was secret society with the objective to absorb Central and South America as slave states to the United States.
In 1854, a civil war erupted in Nicaragua between the Legitimist Party and the Democratic Party. The Democratic party found support from Walker as many of the colonists and mercenaries to Nicaragua. Walker brought in veterans of North American war and wars in Europe.
This alarmed Mexico. Mexico sent an expedition to stop William Walker. Eventually Walker and his men were captured in 1856.
Instead of helping reinstall the Legitimist party, the Mexicans conquered Nicaragua and of all Central America. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras were all absorbed by the Mexican juggernaut.
As a Mexican ally, Britain recognize Central America as de jure parts of Mexico. Britain even sold British Honduras and Mosquito Coast to Mexico.
The Tehuantepec Canal was studied but financial, geographic and technical problems delayed the construction of the Canal. However, after United States and Grand Colombia plans were known, to build a railway in Panama, a parallel plan was made by Mexico with the help of the British. They plan to have their own railway at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Isthmus railway was completed in 1856.
***
Young Ireland, an organization committed to Ireland’s independence, failed the 1848 uprising against Britain. After 1848 revolts in Ireland and conclusion of the North American war, Irish migrants in U.S. and Mexico started their own filibustering organization. Mexican authorities were more eager to arrest these Irish due to British pressure and as courtesy of British ally. The United States became more tolerant of Irish independence movements. Non-Irish Americans who detested the British supported these organizations. They got financial backing of certain Americans. The plan was to raid Canada and start another revolt in Ireland.
But, the raid of Canada of Irish failed in 1853. The Province of Canada had more stricter border controls than Nicaragua and Spanish Cuba. The revolt in Ireland also failed as British authorities in Ireland were more thorough.
***
European revolts of 1848 did no spare the South American nations. Brazil had the Praieira revolt from 1848-49 but was crushed by the Brazilian Empire’s National guard.
The Andean Union had their own revolts but was stamped out by the authoritarian regime with strict implementation of laws. The Chileans experienced revolts in 1851 with the government stamping out that same year. Philippines aided since both governments were silver suppliers.
Mexico was still in fervor of their win with the United States, a stable democratic regime overflowing with British aid and Philippine trade.
Gran Colombia had no significant uprising with the United States and Philippines helping the government’s growth and stability. United States playing more of a major role in keeping the friendly regime in power.
A war occurred between Argentine Confederation and an alliance between Empire of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine Provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes. There was a long running dispute between Argentine confederation and Empire of Brazil for influence over Uruguay and Paraguay over the hegemony over the Platine region. British fleet blockaded Argentina. The war ended in 1852 with Empire of Brazil as victors.
Crystal Palace, London
The Imperial Society of Science was founded by Count Varela in 1826. It is a learned society patterned after the British Royal Society.
After Count Varela’s death, Emperor Andres sponsored the society. Part of the sponsorship was to attend scientific fairs in Europe and America. Each demonstrator and contributor had to be recorded thoroughly. Andres initial intent was to copy, hire or license the products of the military demonstrator. This expanded to machines, tools that the empire needed.
The first fair that the society joined was American Institute Fair in New York, 1829. It was followed by 1832, 1838, 1844, 1850 in Turin; 1834, 1839, 1844, 1849 in Paris France; 1846 in Genoa; 1849 in Birmingham and London.
In 1851, the Imperial Society attended the Great Exhibition in London at the Crystal Palace. Britain wanted to outmatch the French expositions and make it clear to the world that Britain was industrial leader of the world. It not only list exhibitors from Britain but from 45 foreign states (including the Philippines), colonies/dependencies.
The Imperial society wanted Philippines to join as an exhibitor. Andres agrees and limits exhibitors of products that Philippines can market and sell around the world. It should never be about bragging the culture nor the technical capability of the Philippines.
Out of the 13,000 exhibits, one of Andres interest was a Firearms manufacturer named Samuel Colt. Colt Demonstrated his prototype Colt Navy and his old Walker and Dragoon revolvers.
The Philippines was very much interested in United States technology. Philippines already have access to British expertise and technology. Interests of U.S. technology ranged from agriculture machines – McCormick Reaper to Newell's Permutation Lock and Key.
All of the information gathered from these exhibits were shared with local engineers and were made available in the Imperial Library in Manila.
A lot of the machines at the exhibit were licensed, purchased or copied by local engineers and some were improved.
Philippines also started repairing the relationship damage with the United States. Most of those Philippines offended were either members of Knights of Golden Circle or the Democratic party or both. Philippines approached members of the Whig, Free Soil and Liberty parties. Philippines started buying American goods especially products of American ingenuity.
Prince Alfred’s Journal in August 1851:
“I was very much delighted when Mr. Benitez of the Philippine Imperial Society of Science visited me this afternoon to give me a most beautiful watch that Emperor Andres sent me. It came from one of the Philippine exhibitors at the Crystal palace. Mr. Benitez told me I make good use of my time, and that I had a watch which would show me how quickly minutes and hours fly away. I feel grateful to Emperor Andres for being so kind as to send me a watch.”
In 1848, Caracas born Narciso Lopez was one of those arrested by the Spanish when they were rounding up Cuban Revolutionaries. He was then expelled by Spanish authorities.
Lopez went to the United States planning a filibustering expedition. He started his recruiting in New York city. He gained support from influential Americans- John. L. O'Sullivan, and Senator Jefferson Davis. John. L. O'Sullivan was one of popular columnist with articles publishing United States manifest destiny. Senator Davis recommended one of his friends, a veteran of North American War, Major Robert E. Lee. Major Lee accepted the offer after a month of consideration. Many more Americans contributed financially.
Major Robert E. Lee
They recruited Cuban exiles, American volunteers and gathered finances, setting sail in 1850 from New Orleans to Cuba.
After the United States loss during the North American war, U.S. eyed expansion southward towards the Caribbean.
United States offered to purchase Cuba from Spain for $10M. Initially the Spanish refused. U.S. threatened Spain with war. With the initial success of Lopez-Lee expedition, the dwindling finances of Spain, Spain just came from the Second Carlist war, Spain sells Cuba and Puerto Rico for $12M.
Cuba was accepted to the United States as a slave state.
After the success of acquiring Cuba, the United States set another target. The French Empire under Napoleon II have been eyeing to reconquer Hispaniola. Louis might have slipped his tongue during his visit in United States to acquire support. With Napoleon II in power, the United States feared another French invasion in Hispaniola.
The island of Hispaniola has been at war since 1844. Haiti united the island in 1822 conquering the Republic of Spanish Haiti. In 1844, Republic of Spanish Haiti, now known as Dominican Republic, declared independence from Haiti. The Dominican Republic had requested aid from the United States. The government was in debt and the war for Independence against Haiti still rages on. The Dominicans even asked for annexation.
In 1851, the United States landed troops in the Dominican Republic and attacked Haiti from the Sea and from the Dominican Republic. By 1854, both nations were pacified at a high cost due to deaths caused by yellow fever. The United States accepted Haiti and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) as both slave states.
William Walker who became the editor of New Orleans pushed the idea of conquering vast regions of Central America to be unified with the United States and creating slave states. He was supported by the Knights of the Golden Circle. It was secret society with the objective to absorb Central and South America as slave states to the United States.
In 1854, a civil war erupted in Nicaragua between the Legitimist Party and the Democratic Party. The Democratic party found support from Walker as many of the colonists and mercenaries to Nicaragua. Walker brought in veterans of North American war and wars in Europe.
This alarmed Mexico. Mexico sent an expedition to stop William Walker. Eventually Walker and his men were captured in 1856.
Instead of helping reinstall the Legitimist party, the Mexicans conquered Nicaragua and of all Central America. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras were all absorbed by the Mexican juggernaut.
As a Mexican ally, Britain recognize Central America as de jure parts of Mexico. Britain even sold British Honduras and Mosquito Coast to Mexico.
The Tehuantepec Canal was studied but financial, geographic and technical problems delayed the construction of the Canal. However, after United States and Grand Colombia plans were known, to build a railway in Panama, a parallel plan was made by Mexico with the help of the British. They plan to have their own railway at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The Isthmus railway was completed in 1856.
***
Young Ireland, an organization committed to Ireland’s independence, failed the 1848 uprising against Britain. After 1848 revolts in Ireland and conclusion of the North American war, Irish migrants in U.S. and Mexico started their own filibustering organization. Mexican authorities were more eager to arrest these Irish due to British pressure and as courtesy of British ally. The United States became more tolerant of Irish independence movements. Non-Irish Americans who detested the British supported these organizations. They got financial backing of certain Americans. The plan was to raid Canada and start another revolt in Ireland.
But, the raid of Canada of Irish failed in 1853. The Province of Canada had more stricter border controls than Nicaragua and Spanish Cuba. The revolt in Ireland also failed as British authorities in Ireland were more thorough.
***
European revolts of 1848 did no spare the South American nations. Brazil had the Praieira revolt from 1848-49 but was crushed by the Brazilian Empire’s National guard.
The Andean Union had their own revolts but was stamped out by the authoritarian regime with strict implementation of laws. The Chileans experienced revolts in 1851 with the government stamping out that same year. Philippines aided since both governments were silver suppliers.
Mexico was still in fervor of their win with the United States, a stable democratic regime overflowing with British aid and Philippine trade.
Gran Colombia had no significant uprising with the United States and Philippines helping the government’s growth and stability. United States playing more of a major role in keeping the friendly regime in power.
A war occurred between Argentine Confederation and an alliance between Empire of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine Provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes. There was a long running dispute between Argentine confederation and Empire of Brazil for influence over Uruguay and Paraguay over the hegemony over the Platine region. British fleet blockaded Argentina. The war ended in 1852 with Empire of Brazil as victors.
Crystal Palace, London
The Imperial Society of Science was founded by Count Varela in 1826. It is a learned society patterned after the British Royal Society.
After Count Varela’s death, Emperor Andres sponsored the society. Part of the sponsorship was to attend scientific fairs in Europe and America. Each demonstrator and contributor had to be recorded thoroughly. Andres initial intent was to copy, hire or license the products of the military demonstrator. This expanded to machines, tools that the empire needed.
The first fair that the society joined was American Institute Fair in New York, 1829. It was followed by 1832, 1838, 1844, 1850 in Turin; 1834, 1839, 1844, 1849 in Paris France; 1846 in Genoa; 1849 in Birmingham and London.
In 1851, the Imperial Society attended the Great Exhibition in London at the Crystal Palace. Britain wanted to outmatch the French expositions and make it clear to the world that Britain was industrial leader of the world. It not only list exhibitors from Britain but from 45 foreign states (including the Philippines), colonies/dependencies.
The Imperial society wanted Philippines to join as an exhibitor. Andres agrees and limits exhibitors of products that Philippines can market and sell around the world. It should never be about bragging the culture nor the technical capability of the Philippines.
Out of the 13,000 exhibits, one of Andres interest was a Firearms manufacturer named Samuel Colt. Colt Demonstrated his prototype Colt Navy and his old Walker and Dragoon revolvers.
The Philippines was very much interested in United States technology. Philippines already have access to British expertise and technology. Interests of U.S. technology ranged from agriculture machines – McCormick Reaper to Newell's Permutation Lock and Key.
All of the information gathered from these exhibits were shared with local engineers and were made available in the Imperial Library in Manila.
A lot of the machines at the exhibit were licensed, purchased or copied by local engineers and some were improved.
Philippines also started repairing the relationship damage with the United States. Most of those Philippines offended were either members of Knights of Golden Circle or the Democratic party or both. Philippines approached members of the Whig, Free Soil and Liberty parties. Philippines started buying American goods especially products of American ingenuity.
Prince Alfred’s Journal in August 1851:
“I was very much delighted when Mr. Benitez of the Philippine Imperial Society of Science visited me this afternoon to give me a most beautiful watch that Emperor Andres sent me. It came from one of the Philippine exhibitors at the Crystal palace. Mr. Benitez told me I make good use of my time, and that I had a watch which would show me how quickly minutes and hours fly away. I feel grateful to Emperor Andres for being so kind as to send me a watch.”