What's this? An update? You bet!
Also, I already have the next three updates outlines, so hopefully life won't get in the way and I'll be able to update a bit faster.
Announcements over, enjoy the update! Comments and suggestions are, as always, welcome.
The Cuban War of Independence, Part 1
The Cuban War for Independence started with a bang. Insurrections took place all over the island, coordinated and trained by Mexican volunteers in the little time they had before the conflict began.
These uprisings achieved great initial success, with Oriente Province in the rebels' hands in a short time. Great gains also occurred around the center of the island, particularly Ibarra and Aguada, but the increased presence of the Spanish army kept them from gaining too much momentum; though defeated, the Spanish wouldn't be able to completely quell the rebellion, which would come to cost them dearly during the next phase of the war. In Havana, meanwhile, the uprising was a complete failure, with most leaders captured and exiled or executed [1].
Despite this, morale was high among the men, both Cuban and Mexican. When the Mambi leaders (named after Juan Ethninius Mamby, a Negro Spanish officer who joined the Dominicans in their own fight for independence) in March 25, Jose Marti confidently released a manifesto outlining their goals for a free Cuba.
Because only a small number of rebels had been properly trained and equipped by the Mexicans (which would form the core of the Cuban Army), most of the revolutionaries were equipped with machetes or guns picked up from fallen Spanish. They relied mostly on guerilla warfare, hit-and-run attacks and ambushing troops before fading back into the jungle. Though most old guard Mexican officers looked down on these tactics, the younger soldiers and future officers were greatly impressed by them.
The Spanish, completely dumbfounded by the ferocity and organization of the rebels, began falling back to the western provinces. When the rebels stopped to rest and regroup in mid-July, most of the east was under their control. During the pause they added to their ranks veterans from the Ten Years War, and received more guns and training from the Mexicans.
Far more importantly, Marti and the other leaders met in Jimaguayu Camaguey to start working on the new government, resulting in the Jimaguayu Constitution [2].
The rebels weren't the only who took advantage of the lull, however. The Spanish used the time to prepare to take the island back. General Arsenio Martinez-Campos y Anton, hero of the Ten Years War, prepared the same strategy he'd used to stop the rebels in that conflict, the Trocha. A massive belt across the island with fortifications and booby traps along it, it was meant to keep the rebels away from the western provinces [3].
Despite the impressive fortifications, the Trocha would prove useless as the rebels, aided with inside info from the peasants, could bypass it almost at will.
Aware of the need to strike at the western provinces, the rebels divided their forces into two; the Liberation army would stay in the east, to protect the newborn government, while the Invading Army, along with the better trained men and most of the equipment, marched toward the Cuban capital. This march of over 1,054 miles, done in 90 days while fighting numerically superior Spanish forces, is considered one of the greatest military achievements in history.
The first year of the Cuban War for Independence came to a climatic end with the rebel assault on Havana. From October 9-16 the battle raged, the rebels threw everything they had at the Cuban capital, hoping to capture it and end the war right then. Despite successfully breaching the Spanish defenses, however, the better training and organization of the Europeans told and the rebels were repelled. The Spanish themselves were exhausted, though, and unable to pursue their fleeing opponents.
The First Battle of Havana was a serious blow to the rebels. They had lost many men and much equipment in the battle. Morale was also low due to the defeat and the wounding of El Titan de Bronze, Antonio Maceo Grajales. Mexican volunteer Felipe Camacho [4] is recorded to have said 'we conquered most of the island, but a single defeat and it's the end of the world'.
Yet the morale was low for the volunteers as well. The plan Marti and Diaz had worked that fateful day was for the rebels to score significant victories, then for Mexico to offer mediation in the conflict. It was hoped that the implied threat of Mexican intervention would scare the Spanish into accepting the island's independence.
But Mexico was quiet, and the flow of men and equipment had all but dried up. The question in everyone's minds, Mexican and Cuban, was the same: what was happening in Mexico?
[1] More or less like OTL, but more successful due to Mexican involvement.
[2] TTL Marti doesn't die right after reaching Cuba.
[3] Part of why they lost the Ten Years War is that they didn't reach the west, where the government and other important stuff was.
[4] Original character. As the TL goes I'll start adding new people, in part due to my complete inability to find a good source on commanders and such in the Porfirian Army. So, if any of you has sources on that do let me know please.
Next time on 'From Mexico to the World': What's keeping Mexico from kicking Spanish butt.
Also, I already have the next three updates outlines, so hopefully life won't get in the way and I'll be able to update a bit faster.
Announcements over, enjoy the update! Comments and suggestions are, as always, welcome.
The Cuban War of Independence, Part 1
The Cuban War for Independence started with a bang. Insurrections took place all over the island, coordinated and trained by Mexican volunteers in the little time they had before the conflict began.
These uprisings achieved great initial success, with Oriente Province in the rebels' hands in a short time. Great gains also occurred around the center of the island, particularly Ibarra and Aguada, but the increased presence of the Spanish army kept them from gaining too much momentum; though defeated, the Spanish wouldn't be able to completely quell the rebellion, which would come to cost them dearly during the next phase of the war. In Havana, meanwhile, the uprising was a complete failure, with most leaders captured and exiled or executed [1].
Despite this, morale was high among the men, both Cuban and Mexican. When the Mambi leaders (named after Juan Ethninius Mamby, a Negro Spanish officer who joined the Dominicans in their own fight for independence) in March 25, Jose Marti confidently released a manifesto outlining their goals for a free Cuba.
Because only a small number of rebels had been properly trained and equipped by the Mexicans (which would form the core of the Cuban Army), most of the revolutionaries were equipped with machetes or guns picked up from fallen Spanish. They relied mostly on guerilla warfare, hit-and-run attacks and ambushing troops before fading back into the jungle. Though most old guard Mexican officers looked down on these tactics, the younger soldiers and future officers were greatly impressed by them.
The Spanish, completely dumbfounded by the ferocity and organization of the rebels, began falling back to the western provinces. When the rebels stopped to rest and regroup in mid-July, most of the east was under their control. During the pause they added to their ranks veterans from the Ten Years War, and received more guns and training from the Mexicans.
Far more importantly, Marti and the other leaders met in Jimaguayu Camaguey to start working on the new government, resulting in the Jimaguayu Constitution [2].
The rebels weren't the only who took advantage of the lull, however. The Spanish used the time to prepare to take the island back. General Arsenio Martinez-Campos y Anton, hero of the Ten Years War, prepared the same strategy he'd used to stop the rebels in that conflict, the Trocha. A massive belt across the island with fortifications and booby traps along it, it was meant to keep the rebels away from the western provinces [3].
Despite the impressive fortifications, the Trocha would prove useless as the rebels, aided with inside info from the peasants, could bypass it almost at will.
Aware of the need to strike at the western provinces, the rebels divided their forces into two; the Liberation army would stay in the east, to protect the newborn government, while the Invading Army, along with the better trained men and most of the equipment, marched toward the Cuban capital. This march of over 1,054 miles, done in 90 days while fighting numerically superior Spanish forces, is considered one of the greatest military achievements in history.
The first year of the Cuban War for Independence came to a climatic end with the rebel assault on Havana. From October 9-16 the battle raged, the rebels threw everything they had at the Cuban capital, hoping to capture it and end the war right then. Despite successfully breaching the Spanish defenses, however, the better training and organization of the Europeans told and the rebels were repelled. The Spanish themselves were exhausted, though, and unable to pursue their fleeing opponents.
The First Battle of Havana was a serious blow to the rebels. They had lost many men and much equipment in the battle. Morale was also low due to the defeat and the wounding of El Titan de Bronze, Antonio Maceo Grajales. Mexican volunteer Felipe Camacho [4] is recorded to have said 'we conquered most of the island, but a single defeat and it's the end of the world'.
Yet the morale was low for the volunteers as well. The plan Marti and Diaz had worked that fateful day was for the rebels to score significant victories, then for Mexico to offer mediation in the conflict. It was hoped that the implied threat of Mexican intervention would scare the Spanish into accepting the island's independence.
But Mexico was quiet, and the flow of men and equipment had all but dried up. The question in everyone's minds, Mexican and Cuban, was the same: what was happening in Mexico?
[1] More or less like OTL, but more successful due to Mexican involvement.
[2] TTL Marti doesn't die right after reaching Cuba.
[3] Part of why they lost the Ten Years War is that they didn't reach the west, where the government and other important stuff was.
[4] Original character. As the TL goes I'll start adding new people, in part due to my complete inability to find a good source on commanders and such in the Porfirian Army. So, if any of you has sources on that do let me know please.
Next time on 'From Mexico to the World': What's keeping Mexico from kicking Spanish butt.
