The Cuban War of Independence came seventeen years after the end of the unsuccessful Ten Years War, also considered the first war of Cuban Independence. As a result of that war there was a rise in political corruption, high taxes for Cuba's citizens, and lack of political representation. While exiled in New York, Martí worked with Máximo Gómez, who had been a Major General of the Ten Years' War, to build a coalition that ultimately led to the invasion of Cuba from the Eastern region in 1895, which quickly spread and led to the conquering of parts of the Western region. Many of the people involved with the invasion included individuals from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and Colombians. A month into the War, José Martí was killed and made martyr of the people.