The struggle for ‘Cuba libre’ in Western Europe: political committees, informal diplomacies, and volunteers in arms

This article explores European support for Cuban cause from 1848 through the War of Independence. The struggle for Cuban emancipation resonated deeply among various factions in Europe, including veterans of Springtime of Peoples, radical students, republican politicians, and journalists. Especially since 1895, supporters of the Cuban cause showcased their dedication through financial aid, military assistance, and revolutionary propaganda, effectively projecting the Cuban Question onto the global stage, linking the national independence to social and geopolitical issues, such as economic freedom, racial equality, and American expansionism. The aim is to provide new perspectives on the transatlantic dimension of the Cuban struggle for independence, transcending conventional Caribbean or American analytical frameworks.