Final answer:
The immediate cause of the Great Rebellion of 1857 was the introduction of rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, but it was preceded by other grievances like the annexation of Indian territories and insensitive British policies. This event exemplifies the broader discontent colonial populations felt towards European imperialist practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that sparked the Great Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny or the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was the widespread discontent among the Indian sepoys in the British East India Company's army. However, the immediate catalyst for the mutiny was the introduction of new rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, which was offensive to Hindu and Muslim soldiers' religious beliefs respectively. The annexation of Oudh (Awadh), among other territories, by the Doctrine of Lapse and other British policies contributed to the build-up of Indian resentment against British rule, but the grease on the cartridges is widely acknowledged as the final trigger.
Other causes for the debt in 1763 were factors like the French and Indian War, indicating how military expenses often strained the British finances. These financial pressures led to policies and reforms that would cause unrest in colonies around the world, including India. It's important to note that the lack of sensitivity to local traditions and the social impact of British policies stoked the fires of rebellion and resistance, thus leading to the Great Rebellion of 1857.
With regards to the other historical events mentioned, they illustrate similar instances of colonial tension, such as the economic pressures that led to the American Revolution, or the growing European rivalries that would eventually culminate in events like the Seven Years' War and the Fashoda Incident. However, specifically concerning the Great Rebellion of 1857, it was the cartridge issue that served as the final straw in a series of grievances against the British.