The Ten Years' War (1868-1878) was a conflict in Cuba between Cuban revolutionaries and Spanish colonial forces. The war began when Cuban planters sought independence from Spanish rule, leading to a prolonged struggle for freedom. The conflict was marked by guerrilla warfare and significant loss of life. The war ended with the Pact of Zanjón, which granted some reforms but did not achieve full independence for Cuba. Although the immediate goals were not met, the war laid the groundwork for future independence movements, ultimately leading to the Cuban War of Independence in 1895.