Gómez, José Miguel

Gómez, José Miguel

(hōsā` mēgĕl` gō`mĕs), 1858–1921, president of Cuba (1909–13). He took part in the Ten Years War (1868–78) and the successful revolution begun in 1895. A liberal, he was defeated for the presidency in 1906 by Estrada PalmaEstrada Palma, Tomás
, 1835–1908, Cuban revolutionist and first president (1902–6) of Cuba. An active participant in the Ten Years War (1868–78), he became a general (1876) and was captured by the Spanish (1877).
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 but led an uprising that caused U.S. intervention and his own successful election. Affable and popular, he made some attempt to increase Cuba's material progress, but his administration was marred by corrupt practices. He was succeeded by Mario G. MenocalMenocal, Mario García
, 1866–1941, president of Cuba (1913–21). A leader in the fight for liberation from Spain, he later became a Conservative politician. As president he initiated a "businessman" government that was widely criticized as corrupt and arbitrary.
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. In 1920, after unsuccessfully running against Alfredo ZayasZayas, Alfredo
, 1861–1934, president of Cuba (1921–25). He was one of the leaders of the Liberal party from the founding of the republic and was vice president (1909–13) under José Miguel Gómez.
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, he charged his opponents with fraud, failed to gain support, and went into exile in New York City, where he died.