Question

Who in Cuba was sent in by Spain to fight the rebels?

Answer 1

In the fight against Cuban rebels seeking independence, Spain deployed General Valeriano Weyler to Cuba, where he instituted a reconcentration policy to suppress support for the rebels, which led to high civilian casualties and increased sympathy for the rebel cause.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the Spanish military's involvement in Cuba's fight for independence from Spain. In response to the Cuban rebellion, Spain sent the veteran general, Valeriano Weyler, to Cuba in 1896. Weyler implemented the brutal reconcentration policy, which involved moving civilian populations that might be sympathetic to the rebels into fortified camps and towns.

The Spanish troops engaged in scorched earth tactics to prevent the rebels from accessing supplies and support. Due to these harsh methods, many locals previously undecided in the conflict sided with the Cuban rebels, who were also supported by Americans for reasons including sympathy for Cuba's fight for independence, business interests, and the furtherance of the Monroe Doctrine.

Answer 2

During the Cuban War of Independence, Spain sent military forces known as volunteers or voluntarios to fight against the rebels.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Cuban War of Independence: The Cuban War of Independence (1895-1898) was a conflict between Cuba and Spain. Cuban rebels, known as the "Mambises," fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule.

2. Spanish volunteers: To suppress the rebellion, Spain recruited and sent military forces known as "voluntarios" or "volunteers" to Cuba. These volunteers were primarily Spanish soldiers and loyalist Cuban civilians who opposed the rebels.

3. Composition of the volunteers: The Spanish volunteers consisted of both regular army units and irregular forces. Some volunteers were professional soldiers, while others were civilians who joined to support Spain's cause.

4. Tactics and actions: The Spanish volunteers fought alongside regular Spanish troops in battles against the rebels. They used conventional military tactics and strategies to suppress the rebellion, often engaging in brutal acts against rebel sympathizers and civilians.

5. Controversy and impact: The actions of the Spanish volunteers during the war were controversial, with reports of atrocities committed against civilians. Their presence and involvement further fueled the desire for independence among the Cuban rebels, as the atrocities helped to rally international support for the Cuban cause.

In summary, during the Cuban War of Independence, Spain sent military forces known as volunteers or voluntarios to fight against the rebels. These volunteers, comprising Spanish soldiers and loyalist Cuban civilians, played a significant role in suppressing the rebellion but also contributed to the escalation of violence and international support for Cuban independence.