It started on 26 August 1879 and after some minor successes ended in rebel defeat in September 1880.

[2] The revolution was led by Calixto García, having been one of the few revolutionary leaders who did not sign the Pact of Zanjón.

They lacked experienced leaders other than García, and they had a dire shortage of weapons and ammunition.

Further, they had no foreign allies to help them, and the population was both exhausted from the Ten Years' War and lacked faith in the possibility of victory, desiring peace instead.

The rest of the leaders were forced to capitulate throughout 1879 and 1880, and by September 1880, the rebels had been completely defeated.