José Julián Martí Pérez

      José Julián Martí Pérez

 

 

José Julián Martí Pérez was a national hero in Cuban and a very important figure in Latin literature. He was a very memeorable poet, essayist, journalist, revolutionary philosopher, a translator, professor, and a publisher political theorist. He became a symbol for Cuba's independence against Spain through his writings, and because of this he was known as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." He had always dedicated his life for political independence from Cuba and promotion of liberty. When he died it sparked a revolt for Cuban independence from Spain. Other than his writing, he was a diplomat and a consul for many Latin American countries. He eventually became a delegate for the Cuban Revolutionary Party and he worked on plans for a revolution. He didn't want anyone becoming a dictator. He wanted to quickly change the Cuban government so that the American government wouldn't become involved. He didn't hate the United States but he didn't want them to take control of Cuba either, especially since it's so close to the U.S. Marti colaborated with two nationalist generals, Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo as he raised money for their efforts to free Cuba. Marti died on the 19th of May while fighting in Dos Rios. Cuba continued the war without him, but, unfortunately, they did not win until a few years later. He was not granted the opportunity of seeing Cuba win their revolution, despite fighting faithfully for it. He had left behind his wife named Carmen Zayas Bazán and they had a son together whom they named Jose.

~~ Brookelyn Zettler & Mariah Ashlee Merritt