The Ten Years' War
In 1868, the Ten Years' War broke out. In many
ways, the Ten Years' War was similar to the American War of
Independence.
Spain mercilessly expolited Cuba's people and resources.
The war broke out after Spain completely refused Cuban demands not
dissimilar to those made by the Thirteen Colonies. Not only
did she refuse the Cubans' demands, Spain began to increase her
military presence in Cuba.
The Ten Years' War started on
October 10, 1868, when
Carlos
Manuel de Céspedes freed his
slaves from their labor in his sugar plantation. Céspedes did not
act alone; many other slaveowners freed their slaves to fight for
independence as well.
The rebels were led by Máximo
Gómez, who was
joined by Antonio
Maceo.
The Spanish brought in troops and also drew its forces from
people living in Cuba who sided with them, similar to the loyalist
forces who sympathized with the British during America's War of
Independence.
The Ten Years' War was without major battles. It was
primarily a guerilla war. The Cubans used hit-and-run tactics
and attempted to destroy everything they could.
The war was ended by Arsenio
Martínez de Campos, a
Spanish general. His promises of reforms (many of which the
Spanish did not intend to keep) convinced the Cubans under Gómez and
Maceo to end their
rebellion.
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