Here's a breakdown:
Spanish Tactics in Cuba:
* Brutal suppression: The Spanish used brutal methods to quell the rebellion, including:
* Concentration camps where civilians were confined and often died from disease and starvation.
* Torture and extrajudicial killings.
* Burning villages and crops.
US Tactics in the Philippines:
* Modern warfare: The US military employed modern tactics, including:
* Superior firepower: The US had superior weapons and technology, including modern rifles, artillery, and eventually, the use of airplanes.
* Guerrilla warfare: The US military learned to counter the Filipino guerilla tactics, employing tactics like:
* "Search and destroy" operations
* The use of informers
* The building of fortified positions
* Concentration camps: While the US used concentration camps in the Philippines, the conditions were not as severe as those used by the Spanish in Cuba.
Key Differences:
* Motivation: The Spanish were fighting to maintain their colonial empire. The US, initially claiming to bring freedom to the Philippines, ultimately sought to annex the islands for its own strategic and economic interests.
* Scale and Scope: The US had a significantly larger and more modern military force than the Spanish, allowing for a more aggressive campaign.
* International Pressure: The US faced more international pressure regarding its actions in the Philippines compared to the Spanish in Cuba.
Important Note: While the US did not employ the same level of brutality as the Spanish, their tactics in the Philippines still resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread suffering. The war was marked by violence, brutality, and the use of questionable tactics on both sides.
It's important to acknowledge that the US's actions in the Philippines have been subject to ongoing debate and scrutiny. Some argue that the US military's tactics were justified given the context of the war, while others contend that the US's pursuit of imperial expansion was ultimately wrong and led to unnecessary violence.