During the Ten Years War, between 1868-1878, the Cubans fought against Spanish rule in their country. Rebellion broke out around the island, and the rebels joined under a united leader, Carlos de Cespedes, a wealthy planter, who proclaimed independence from Spain. Nearly 200,000 lives were lost, until the Treaty of El Zanjun was signed. This …show more content…
The Cuban Revolution became extremely bloody due to the use of Guerrilla warfare. This military operation, conducted on its home terrain, consisted of inhabitants fed up with oppressive rule. The men involved operated from bases located deep in the jungle, dense forests, and high rocky elevations. Guerrillas depended on natives for food, shelter, and useful information. While striking swiftly was a must, the bands of men were specialized in the undetected raiding of enemy camps. They could ambush a patrol, kill the soldiers, and supply their entire company in a matter of hours. Cutting communication between enemy lines became a prime target, once severed from the army, a battalion could be attacked, disarmed, and their reserves used for the revolutionaries.
It was the unfortunate, destitute populace that rebelled. Having little to lose they could fight on home turf and soon, much to there delight had help from the United States. While in port in Havana on February 15, 1898 the U.S. Battleship Maine was sunk by a large explosion. The Americans declared war on Spain immediately, attacking all Spanish naval vessels in the area, marking the beginning of