Final answer:
The rebels destroyed Spanish and American property due to desires for independence, control over resources, and opposition to oppressive colonial regimes, supported by the Monroe Doctrine and exacerbated by Spain's brutal tactics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rebels attacked and destroyed Spanish and American property for several significant reasons. At the heart of these conflicts were desires for independence, control over local resources, and opposition to oppressive colonial rulers. For example, the rallying cry of Cuba Libre reflected a wish for liberation similar to America's quest for independence.
Against this backdrop, Americans found kinship with Cuban rebels' aspirations. Furthermore, the Monroe Doctrine played a crucial role as it signaled American authority in the Western Hemisphere and showed support for anti-colonial movements against European powers like Spain.
U.S. business interests in Cuban agriculture also fueled support for the rebels, while Spain's use of severe measures against Cuban insurgents, such as torture, killings, and forced relocations, sparked global condemnation. These brutal tactics by the Spanish were seen as a direct threat to human rights and galvanized support against them. Historical uprisings such as the Pueblo Revolt and the Comunero Rebellion indicated a long-standing resistance against Spanish colonialism and monopolistic economic practices.
Hence, rebellion against and the destruction of Spanish and, by extension, American property were outcomes of both a historical legacy of resistance and the immediate socio-political circumstances in the regions affected by Spanish rule.