Misplaced Pages

#182817

63-706: The Havana Capitol building was built on land that was a railroad terminal and used to belong to the Villanueva Railway. The project began in April 1926, during the Gerardo Machado administration. Construction was overseen by the U.S. firm of Purdy and Henderson . Prior to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the Congress was housed in the building, the Congress was abolished and disbanded following

126-459: A War of Independence against Spain. Machado joined the rebel forces and rose to the rank of brigadier general . He was one of the youngest Cuban generals in the war. He fought in the middle provinces. After the war ended, Machado turned to politics and business. In 1902, Cuba was granted full independence. Meanwhile, Machado was elected as mayor of Santa Clara . During the national administration of José Miguel Gómez (1909–1913), Machado

189-410: A bullet in his head. Ferrara [Cuban Secretary of State] this morning explained that he had ascertained last night that no person named Hernandez was under arrest. These killings of prisoners have deeply stirred public opinion and have strengthened belief that no person under arrest is safe from official vengeance. The following day Harry Frank Guggenheim reported to the U.S. Secretary of Stateː I saw

252-604: A decline in sugar prices starting in 1925, its aggravation due to the crash of 1929 , and political repression, led to significant political instability. Machado also faced backlash from university students after the formation of the Directorio Estudiantil Universitario in 1927. After various protests and the death of the DEU members, most notably of Rafael Trejo , Machado closed the university in 1930. U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull wrote, in

315-586: A period when their father served with Cuban rebels in the Ten Years' War against Spain (1868–1878). His father attained the rank of major . The war ended without Cuba achieving independence. When he was in his early 20s, Machado engaged in growing and selling tobacco. As a young man, he married Elvira Machado Nodal (28 October 1868 in Villa Clara – 1968). They had three daughters together: Laudelina (Nena), Ángela Elvira, and Berta. In 1895 Cubans launched

378-635: A professor of physiology at the University of Havana . In the 1920s, he was involved with the student protests against then-President Gerardo Machado , and was jailed in 1931. Upon his release he was exiled from Cuba, temporarily migrating to the United States . After the 1933 Cuban Revolution , Grau initially became one of the five members of the Pentarchy of 1933 government ( 5–10 September 1933). Thereafter, on 9 September 1933, members of

441-438: A second term. Throughout his campaign leading to the 1924 general election , Machado stated numerous times that he did not aspire to be reelected, but only two years into his presidency he changed his mind. In 1927 Machado pushed a series of constitutional amendments to enable him to seek re-election, which he obtained in the 1928 presidential election . This act of continuismo , coupled with growing economic depression caused by

504-550: A telegram to the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Sumner Welles on 1 May 1933, with respect to Machado's constitutional reforms of 1927: Under the terms of the Cuban Constitution ( 1901 Constitution of Cuba ), as promulgated in 1902, amendments to the Constitution proposed by the Congress did not become effective until approved by a constituent assembly specifically elected for that purpose. Consequently, after

567-718: A tunnel to reach the Vazquez family crypt in Havana's Colón Cemetery and planted an explosive device there, anticipating that Machado would attend the funeral. The plan failed when the family decided to bury Vazquez in Santa Clara instead. This attempt is the basis of the 1949 Horizon Pictures film We Were Strangers . Machado has also been credited for unleashing a wave of violence against his critics. In Machado: Crimenes y Horrores de un Regimen , Carlos G. Peraza details some of Machado's alleged crimes. Peraza blames Machado for

630-402: Is disputed. Writing to the U.S. Secretary of State, on 5 January 1933, U.S. ambassador to Cuba, Harry Frank Guggenheim noted as follows, Last night I personally called on the [Cuban] Secretary of State in regard to Hernandez and was assured there was no cause for apprehension in this or other cases. Hernandez or Alvarez died shortly after midnight in a hospital to which he had been brought with

693-400: Is mainly remembered for left-leaning or progressive reforms such as the establishment of the 8-hour work day as per Grau's presidential decree no. 1693, a raise of minimum wage, nationalization of Cuban Electric Company, granting autonomy to the University of Havana , a requirement that employers must engage at least 50 per cent of native-born Cuba workers, a minimum wage for cutting sugar cane,

SECTION 10

#1732783842183

756-682: Is noted for stating that at the end of his term he would ask for the abrogation of the Platt Amendment . Elected at the time of a fall in world sugar prices , he was a Cuban industrialist and member of the political elite of the Liberal Party. Machado's first term (1925–1929) coincided with a period of prosperity. Sugar production expanded, and the United States provided a close and ready market. Machado embarked on an ambitious public works program. He determined to make Cuba

819-464: Is seen throughout the building. These were all designed specifically for the building by Cuban designers and the majority of them were manufactured in France. In the center of the building are two patios which provide light and ventilation for the offices on the first (ground), third and fourth floors. The north patio features another statue The Rebellious Angel ( El Ángel Rebelde ) which was donated to

882-521: Is sometimes called Raymond Grau San Martin in English. His parents were, Francisco Grau Vinals and Pilar San Martin y del Collado. Grau's father, a rich tobacco grower, wanted Ramón to continue in his footsteps, but Ramón himself wanted to be a doctor. He studied at the University of Havana and graduated in 1908 with a Doctor of Medicine degree, then expatriated to Europe in order to expand his medical knowledge. He returned to Cuba in 1921 and became

945-587: Is the Salón de Pasos Perdidos ( Hall of Lost Steps ), named for its acoustic properties. These halls, with inlaid marble floors and gilded lamps, lead to the two semicircular chambers that formerly housed the Parliament and Chamber of Deputies. The Parliament chamber to the right of the building is backed onto by the President's office which has a door opening directly onto the dais . A range of different lamps

1008-1044: The Buddha of Nara , Japan and the Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. D.C. Gerardo Machado Gerardo Machado y Morales (28 September 1869 – 29 March 1939) was a general of the Cuban War of Independence and President of Cuba from 1925 to 1933. Machado entered the presidency with widespread popularity and support from the major political parties. However, his support declined over time. Many people objected to his running again for re-election in 1928 , as his victory violated his promise to serve for only one term. As protests and rebellions became more strident, his administration curtailed free speech and used repressive police tactics against opponents. Ultimately, in 1933, Machado

1071-653: The Directorio Estudiantil Universitario met in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and after intensive debate between various proposed candidates, it was agreed that Ramón Grau would be the next president. Grau's presidency became known as the One Hundred Days Government and ended on 15 January 1934. Carlos E. Finlay for Secretary of Health, Antonio Guiteras Holmes for Secretary of Government, Ramiro Copablanca for Secretary of

1134-511: The Directorio Estudiantil Universitario wanted Batista removed or assassinated. This was partly because Batista was holding talks with Sumner Welles other members of the Cuban opposition regarding a potential change in government without the knowledge or public sanctioning of Grau's administration. In addition to the political struggles, the dire state of the economy due to the Depression of

1197-837: The "Statue of the Republic". At almost 92 m (302 ft) high, the dome was the highest point in the city of Havana until 1956 when the FOCSA Building was built reaching a height of 121 meters (397 ft). The Capitolio had the third-highest dome in the world at the time of its construction. According to Eugenio Rayneri Piedra , the inspiration for the cupola came from the Panthéon in Paris by way of Bramante 's Tempietto in San Pietro in Montorio . The gardens, based on

1260-528: The "Switzerland of the Americas." In April, 1927, Machado visited the United States and on April 23, 1927, he met with President Calvin Coolidge . During his visit, Machado discussed with Coolidge many issues including the Platt Amendment . Whether for the sake of gaining political favour, being tactful or whatever the reason Machado firstly stated that the Platt Amendment was in fact a positive benefit to

1323-773: The 1930s and the massive debt left over by Machado's administration, there was also the issue of the army officials regrouping and setting up camp in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba . After failed negotiations between army officials and Grau's government, this deadlock would ultimately end with the Battle of the Hotel Nacional of Cuba on 2 October 1933. In 1934 Grau went on to found the Partido Auténtico . His niece, Pola Grau Alsina (1915– 2000), served as First Lady of Cuba during his first presidency. Grau

SECTION 20

#1732783842183

1386-462: The 1934 general election, while still keeping within the country's constitutional framework. Eventually, as Machado resisted giving up power and the crisis escalated, the army revolted. Welles noted as follows on 12 August 1933 at 3 a.m.: "Since the abortive revolt of the first battalion of artillery yesterday afternoon there have been several threatened revolts in divers portions of the Army insisting upon

1449-484: The ABC was brokered; it took power on 13 August 1933 amidst a general strike in Havana. Welles succeeded in weakening Machado's government by extracting a series of concessions which tipped the balance of power in favor of the opposition. The collapse of Machado's government was followed by the provisional president General Alberto Herrera y Franchi (12-13 August 1933). The collapse of Machado's government can be traced to

1512-559: The Conservative side. After initial victories for the Liberals, things turned for the worse, and yet Machado continued to fight even after the Liberals were defeated by the machine guns of Colonel Rosendo Collazo at Caicaje , once the hacienda of Santiago Saura Orraque and Juan Manuel Perez de la Cruz. Finally they could not continue and Machado surrendered on 8 March 1917. President Mario García Menocal had definitively won

1575-587: The Cuban Revolution in 1959 and the building fell into disrepair. "El Capitolio" is 207 meters long and 91 meters wide. Although its design is often compared to the United States Capitol , it is not a replica. "It is similar to that in Washington D.C, but a meter higher, a meter deeper and a meter longer, as well as much richer in detail. To finish its construction they needed more than 5000 workers, 3 years, 3 months and 20 days; as well as approximately 17 million American dollars". Completed in 1929, it

1638-564: The Cuban people but he insisted on a modification of its terms as the Platt Amendment was a stigma of embarrassment among the international community insofar that it represented Cuba as lacking complete sovereignty over its affairs. Among the public works completed during Machado's administration, there was the Carretera Central or Central Highway which ran practically the entire length of the island, from Pinar del Rio in

1701-592: The Hotel Presidente. He also sponsored a tariff reform bill in 1927 providing protection to certain Cuban industries. Despite these accomplishments, Cuba's dependence on sugar continued, and United States influence and investments increased. In order to complete the financing of these projects, the President, ignoring his original pledge against foreign loans, entered into transactions with the Chase Bank Syndicate resulting by his second term in

1764-577: The Mexican civil conflict and actions of Pancho Villa on the Southern border. The Cuban war resulted in the death of Frederick Funston , a friend and ally of Menocal. President Menocal declared war on Germany 7 April 1917. John J. Pershing was reassigned to United States forces in Mexico and then Europe. Machado was appointed as Interior Minister under José Miguel Gómez . Allied with his predecessor,

1827-682: The Pantheon in Paris. Its purpose was to portray the optimism, confidence and elegance of the new democracy. Additionally, Machado oversaw the enlargement of the University of Havana , and the expansion of health facilities. Other key buildings constructed under his administration include the Hotel Nacional de Cuba , the Asturia Center (today National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana ), the Bacardi Building (Havana) , Lopez Serrano and

1890-517: The Presidency, Germán Álvarez Fuentes for Secretary of Agriculture, Joaquin del Rio Balamaseda for Secretary of Justice, Julio Aguado for Secretary of War & Navy, Gustavo Moreno for Secretary of Public Works and Manuel Marquez Sterling for Secretary of State. The One Hundred Days government was in part a mixture of reformist-moderate minded individuals such as Grau and radicals including Antonio Guiteras Holmes . The One Hundred Days government

1953-504: The President [Machado] this morning. He did not attempt to disclaim Government's responsibility for recent murders of students which he characterized as a stupid mistake. Writing to the U.S. Secretary of State, on 8 April 1933, The Chargee in Cuba, Edward Reed noted: In Cuba, Machado engaged in a long struggle with diverse insurgent groups, from the green shirts of the ABC to Blas Hernández to

National Capitol of Cuba - Misplaced Pages Continue

2016-493: The University of Miami. Selected materials from these papers have been digitized and are available elsewhere online. Ram%C3%B3n Grau Ramón Grau San Martín (13 September 1881 – 28 July 1969) was a Cuban physician who served as President of Cuba from 1933 to 1934 and from 1944 to 1948. He was the last president (other than Carlos Manuel Piedra who was interim president for one day) born during Spanish rule. He

2079-578: The apse, the Statue of the Republic is the figure of a young woman standing, dressed in a tunic, with a helmet, shield and lance; it weighs 30 tons, is 14.60 meters high, and rests on a marble pedestal of 2.50 meters. It was sculpted by Angelo Zanelli , author of the Altare della Patria , part of the monument to King Victor Emmanuel II , in Rome. It is the third largest indoor statue in the world, surpassed only by

2142-451: The beginning of negotiations between Machado's government and opposition groups with Ambassador Welles as mediator. One of the proposed solutions to the political crisis was the appointment of a vice president who would be impartial and acceptable to all parties, followed by a leave of absence for President Machado until the 1934 general election. This plan would ensure that Machado no longer had power and, most importantly, could not tamper with

2205-467: The building after the inauguration. There is a small fifth floor and a sixth-floor which gives access only to part of the cupola. A wide granite staircase of 56 steps, 36 meters wide and 16 meters high, leads to the portico of the building. There are two rows of 6 columns of the Ionic order. The pillars stand out with a diameter of 1.55 meters and a height of 14.10 meters. Reasons for the hall, located in all

2268-573: The conflict. Technically there was no U.S. intervention in this war. Cuban Army officers, notably Julio Sanguilí in Santiago, and their forces regained control of the government. In this war, against the background of the Great War raging in Europe, the Liberals were said to be pro-German. This resulted in U.S. President Woodrow Wilson adding Cuba to his worries, as he was already concerned about

2331-519: The conservative veterans of the Cuban War of Independence to the radical Antonio Guiteras group, and he clung on for several years. In May 1933, newly appointed US ambassador Sumner Welles arrived in Cuba and initiated negotiation with the opposition groups for a government to succeed Machado's. A provisional government headed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada (son of Cuban independence hero Carlos Manuel de Céspedes ) and including members of

2394-600: The constituent assembly. It is obvious that the revision of the Electoral Code made possible at this time the election of delegates favorable to the proroguing of the terms of the President, of the members of the Senate and of the members of the House of Representatives, and that such delegates were by no means elected through the untrammeled vote of the Cuban people themselves. The constituent assembly so selected convened in

2457-485: The creation of a Department of Labor, the compulsory arbitration of labor dispute, the suspension of the Chase loan (taken out during Machado's mandate), the granting of an unlimited sugar quota (Zafra Libre) to small mills up to 60,000 bags, reduction of electricity rates and the initiation of a program for agrarian reform and authorization for the coinage of $ 20 Million in silver Despite the government's progressive agenda,

2520-465: The death of numerous Cubans including Armando Andre y Alvarado (1926), Enrique Varona (1926), Claudio Bouzón –Noske Yalob (1928), Ponce de Leon y Perez Terradas (1928), Abelardo Pacheco (1930), Raoul Martin (1931), the three Freyre de Andrade brothers (1932) and most famously Rafael Trejo (30 September 1930). There were numerous murders and assassinations committed by the police and army under Machado's administration. The extent of his involvement in these

2583-533: The designs of European gardens consisting of areas of lawn bordered by paths and highlighted by Royal Palm trees, were designed by French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier who also designed the Paseo del Prado . The 56 steps leading to the main entrance, La Escalinata, is flanked by 6.5 m (21 ft) statues by the Italian artist Angelo Zanelli . To the left is Work ( El Trabajo ) and to

National Capitol of Cuba - Misplaced Pages Continue

2646-535: The doors and the lateral panels, are the Boticcino marble squares sculpted by Angelo Zanelli . On both sides of the end of the staircase are two bronze sculptural groups with granite pedestal by the Italian Angelo Zanelli , one male, and the other female, have a height of 6.70 meters and represent the first progress of human activity and the second the tutelary virtue of the people. Located in

2709-402: The floor in the center of the main hall is a replica 25 carat (5 g) diamond, which marks Kilometre Zero for Cuba. The original diamond, said to have belonged to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and have been sold to the Cuban state by a Turkish merchant, was stolen on 25 March 1946 and mysteriously returned to the President, Ramón Grau San Martín , on 2 June 1947. To either side of the main hall

2772-574: The government faced significant political power struggles. On the one hand it was not recognized by the U.S. government, secondly there were still other groups especially members of the traditional parties such as the Liberal, Conservative and Union Nacionalista parties as well as the ABC who either did not support Grau's government or wanted a more inclusive administration. Finally, while the Army Chief of Staff Fulgencio Batista , nominally surrendered

2835-796: The immediate resignation of President Machado." Machado left Cuba on a flight to the Bahamas on the afternoon of 12 August 1933. Machado died of colon cancer in Miami Beach, US in 1939 and was entombed in Miami at Woodlawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum (now Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North Park Cemetery and Mausoleum ). Machado y Morales, Gerardo (written in 1936 published in 1957 and later) Ocho años de lucha – memorias. Ediciones Universales, Ediciones Historicas Cubanas. Miami ISBN   0-89729-328-2 ISBN   0-89729-328-2 The papers of Gerardo Machado y Morales are available for research online, at

2898-504: The increase of Cuba's public debt by $ 86 million. Cosme de la Torriente y Peraza , Cuban statesman and President of the League of Nations in the 1920s, said: In 1925 General Machado succeeded Dr. Zayas as President. Despite his promise not to stand for reelection, Machado sought to have the Constitution of 1901 modified so that he could maintain himself in power. As a result, a widespread state of public disorder became almost permanent. It

2961-485: The main hall. The inside of the main hall under the cupola is the Statue of the Republic ( La Estatua de la República ). The statue, also by Zanelli, was cast in bronze in Rome in three pieces and assembled inside the building after its arrival in Cuba. It is covered with 22 carat (92%) gold leaf and weighs 49 tons. At 15 m ( 49 + 1 ⁄ 4  ft) tall, it was the second highest statue under cover in

3024-487: The month of April, 1928. Under the terms of the then-existing Constitution, the duties of the constituent assembly were "limited either to approving or rejecting the amendment voted by the co-legislative bodies." Notwithstanding this clear provision and the clear intent thereof, the constituent assembly revised completely several of the provisions of the project submitted by the Cuban Congress. It would seem that there

3087-472: The outgoing president Alfredo Zayas , and running as a Liberal Party candidate in the 1924 election , Machado defeated Mario García Menocal of the Conservative Party by an overwhelming majority; he was elected as Cuba's fifth president. He campaigned with the slogan, "Water, roads, and schools". Machado took office as President of Cuba on 20 May 1925, and left office on 12 August 1933. He

3150-447: The power of the army to the new government, in reality Batista was having talks, making behind-doors deals with Sumner Welles , U.S. Ambassador Jefferson Caffery , and other political groups. Eventually Batista would force Grau's resignation on 15 January 1934. Grau, however, still maintained significant power throughout the beginning of his presidency and on one occasion various ranking members of Grau's cabinet as well as students from

3213-468: The project for constitutional reform had been enacted by the Cuban Congress, elections were held for delegates to the constituent assembly and those delegates were elected a revised form of the so-called "Crowed Electoral Code", the revisions selected, in their great majority, by members of the existing House and Senate, and in most instances the Senators and Representatives themselves served as delegates to

SECTION 50

#1732783842183

3276-577: The result that Dr. Grau will probably find empty coffers when he takes office on October 10. It is blatant that President Batista desires that Dr. Grau San Martin should assume obligations which in fairness and equity should be a matter of settlement by the present Administration. In 1947, Cuba was the only Western country to vote against the creation of Israel . After turning over the presidency to his protégé, Carlos Prío , in 1948, Grau virtually withdrew from public life. He emerged again in 1952 to oppose Batista's coup d'état . Grau ran for president in

3339-405: The right The Tutelary Virtue ( La Virtud Tutelar ). The steps lead up to the central portico , which is 36 m (118 ft) wide and more than 16 m ( 52 + 1 ⁄ 2  ft) tall. There are 12 granite columns in the ionic order arranged in two rows and each over 14 m (46 ft) tall. Beyond the portico, three large bronze doors with bas-reliefs by Zanelli allow access to

3402-417: The time qualified the 1940 election as free and fair elections. In 1944, Grau won the popular vote in the presidential election, defeating Carlos Saladrigas Zayas , Batista's handpicked successor, and served until 1948. Despite his initial popularity in 1933, accusations of corruption tainted his administration's image, and a sizable number of Cubans began to distrust him. As Grau assumed the presidency, he

3465-405: The west to Santiago de Cuba, a distance of over 1,126 kilometres (700 mi). Machado was also responsible for the construction of El Capitolio (The Capitol), the elegant home of the Cuban Congress from 1929 to 1959. The new building, designed by Raúl Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra and constructed in 1926–1929 had a neoclassical design that borrowed elements from the U.S. Capitol building and

3528-516: The world at the time, with only the Great Buddha of Nara being taller. The statue stands on a plinth 2.5 m ( 8 + 1 ⁄ 4  ft) high bringing the total height to 17.54 m ( 57 + 1 ⁄ 2  ft). A Creole Cuban, Lily Valty served as the model for the body for Zanelli, and the inspiration for the statue came from Athena , the Greek goddess of wisdom. Embedded in

3591-500: Was a reasonable measure of doubt that the constituent assembly acted "ultra vires". The Supreme Court of Cuba has, however, consistently refrained from rending a decision upon this question. Machado survived several attempts on his life. In the most famous, a violent opposition group, the ABC ( abecedarios ), assassinated the President of the Cuban Senate Clemente Vazquez Bello . They had constructed

3654-697: Was appointed as inspector of the armed forces and later as Secretary of the Interior. After his return to private life, he engaged in farming and in business, investing in public utilities. With his family provided for, he returned to politics in the early 1920s. Machado was said to be the party's war leader in Las Villas province, where he fought on the Liberal side in the "Little War of February 1917" La Chambelona ( Chambelona War ), with José Miguel Gómez , Alfredo Zayas , and Enrique Loynaz del Castillo . The Liberals were defeated. Calixto Enamorado fought on

3717-456: Was forced to address many financial problems left by his predecessor, Batista. In a 17 July 1944 dispatch to the U.S. Secretary of State , U.S. Ambassador Spruille Braden stated: It is becoming increasingly apparent that President Batista intends to discomfit the incoming Administration in every way possible, particularly financially. A systematic raid on the Treasury is in full swing with

3780-468: Was forced to step down in favor of a provisional government headed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada and brokered by US ambassador Sumner Welles . Machado has been described as a dictator. Machado was born in 1869 as the oldest child in his family, in the central province of Las Villas (now Villa Clara ). He had two younger siblings, a brother named Carlos and a sister named Consuelo. He and his siblings grew up on their family's cattle farm, during

3843-512: Was instrumental in passing the 1940 Constitution of Cuba . For much of the Constitutional Convention, he served as the presiding officer (even after his coalition was pushed into the minority after the defection of one of the parties that formed it). He would eventually come to be replaced by Carlos Márquez Sterling . In 1940 Grau ran in the presidential election and lost to Fulgencio Batista . Most independent observers at

SECTION 60

#1732783842183

3906-433: Was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s. It houses the world's third largest indoor statue. On August 30, 2019, the historian of the city Eusebio Leal proclaimed the end of the renovation with the unveiling of the dome. The cupola, which is stone-clad around a steel frame that was constructed in the United States, is set planimetrically forward on the building to allow for the apse that contains La Republica ,

3969-451: Was under these circumstances that Machado was reelected without opposition in 1928. According to Peraza on 9 January 1931, the following newspapers were closed upon Machado's presidential decreeː Diario de la Marina, El Mundo, El Pais, Informacion, The Havana American, La Semana , Karikato, Carteles, and Bohemia, followed by the multiple arrests of numerous newspaper editors. His detractors claimed he became despotic and forced his way into

#182817