The Unionization of Florida Cigarmakers and the Coming of the War With Spain

Abstract

HE FORCES and arguments leading the United States to intervene in on behalf of Cuba Libre were numerous and interacting. It is virtually impossible to disentangle theimi and rank them according to their importance in shaping American policy. The story of how the combination of factors precipitated aln armed confliet between Spain and the United States has been told a number of times.' Nevertheless, every historian has neglected to nmention the role of the American labor movement in creating a climate of sentiment favorable to United States action on behalf of the struggling Cubans. The organiized American labor movement was not large in the midnineties. That portion of it that was most vocal in support of the Cubans was probably weak in comparison to the forces of yellow journalism, humanitarians, professional imperialists, patriotic organizations, and political party leaders. Nevertheless, among the workingmen who were urging interventioni on behalf of Cuban independence, the leadership was taken by the Cigarmakers' International Union. It was one of the largest, best organized, and most competently led craft unions.2 By virtue of its economic successes in the past and the prestige of its leadership by such a figure as Samuel Gompers, the Cigarmakers' Iinteriiatiolial Unlionl was able to exercise an influeinee far beyond its own ranks. For several reasons Florida was of special interest to the Cigarmakers' International Union. The cigar industry was expanding there.