Ten Years' War

Quick Facts: Who was Ten Years' War?

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Ten Years' War

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The Cuban War of Independence (1868–1878) for Cuban self-determination from Spain.

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Origins & Early Life

The Ten Years' War (Spanish: Guerra de los Diez Años; 1868–1878), also known as the Great War (Guerra Grande) and the War of '68, was a war of independence of Cuba from Spain. The uprising was led by Cuban-born planters and other wealthy natives. On 10 October 1868, sugar mill owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and his followers proclaimed independence, beginning the conflict. This was the first of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, the other two being the Little War (1879–1880) and the Cuban War of Independence (1895–1898). The final three months of the last conflict escalated with United States involvement, leading to the Spanish–American War.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Cuban bourgeoisie demanded fundamental social and economic reforms from the Spanish Crown. Lax enforcement of the slave trade ban had resulted in a dramatic increase in imports of Africans, estimated at 90,000 slaves from 1856 to 1860. This occurred despite a strong abolitionist movement on the island, and rising costs among the slave-holding planters in the east. New technologies and farming techniques made large numbers of slaves unnecessary and prohibitively expensive. In the economic crisis of 1857 many businesses failed, including many sugar plantations and sugar refineries.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The abolitionist cause gained strength, favoring a gradual emancipation of slaves with financial compensation from the government for slaveholders. Additionally, some planters preferred hiring Chinese immigrants as indentured workers and in anticipation of ending slavery. Before the 1870s, more than 125,000 were sent to Cuba. In May 1865, Cuban criollo elites placed four demands upon the Spanish Parliament: tariff reform, political representation in Parliament, judicial equality for all Spaniards (including Cubans), and full enforcement of the slave trade ban. The Spanish Parliament at the time was changing; gaining much influence were reactionary, traditionalist politicians who intended to eliminate all liberal reforms.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1856: 1856 Milestone — Lax enforcement of the slave trade ban had resulted in a dramatic increase in imports of Africans, estimated at 90,000 slaves from 1856 to 1860.
2. 1857: 1857 Milestone — In the economic crisis of 1857 many businesses failed, including many sugar plantations and sugar refineries.
3. 1865: 1865 Milestone — In May 1865, Cuban criollo elites placed four demands upon the Spanish Parliament: tariff reform, political representation in Parliament, judicial equality for all Spaniards (including Cubans), and full enforcement of the slave trade ban.
4. 1868: 1868 Milestone — The Ten Years' War (Spanish: Guerra de los Diez Años; 1868–1878), also known as the Great War (Guerra Grande) and the War of '68, was a war of independence of Cuba from Spain.
5. 1879: 1879 Milestone — This was the first of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, the other two being the Little War (1879–1880) and the Cuban War of Independence (1895–1898).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ten Years' War

True or False: “The Ten Years' War was the first of three major conflicts Cuba fought against Spain.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This war preceded the Little War (1879–1880) and the Cuban War of Independence (1895–1898).

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• A. Wyatt Tilby — Historical peer (Born in 1880) (1880): British author, journalist, and traveler known for his writings on history and philosophy.
• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Historical peer (Born in 1880) (1880): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.
• Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri — Historical peer (Born in 1895) (1895): Pioneering Egyptian jurist, celebrated for authoring the revised Civil Code of 1948.
• Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah — Historical peer (Born in 1895) (1895): Founder of modern Kuwait, he oversaw its transition to an independent state.

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