Final answer:
The initiation of Cuba's rebellion against Spanish rule was influenced by various factors including sympathetic American support, historical parallels with America's independence, economic interest, and reactions to Spanish brutality. Influential Cuban figures like José Martí also played key roles in garnering support for the cause, leading to the United States' involvement and ultimately Cuban independence post the Spanish-American War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rebellion against Spanish rule in Cuba was initiated by a mixture of factors, including the harsh and brutal responses of the Spanish to the Cuban calls for independence, the inspiration from the United States' own fight for independence, economic interests, and the strategic interests aligned with the Monroe Doctrine. The Cuban struggle for liberation, which had been ongoing since the mid-19th century, escalated into full-scale war in 1895. This conflict saw the United States' involvement partly because of humanitarian concerns over Spanish methods to suppress the rebellion, which included inhumane treatment, and partly due to the fear that losing Cuba could lead to uprisings in other Spanish colonies. Additionally, the rebellion was catalyzed by the efforts of notable figures such as José Martí, who organized support for Cuban independence.
Cuban nationalism and the rallying cry of Cuba Libre were strongly evocative of the American struggle for independence and stirred American support. Furthermore, US businesses saw economic opportunities in investing in Cuba, particularly in its agricultural sector. The brutality of Spanish tactics strengthened the American sentiment against Spain and in favor of aiding the Cuban insurgents. Eventually, these combined influences led to the United States engaging in the Spanish-American War, which ultimately resulted in Spanish surrender and Cuba's political independence, though under the significant influence of the United States, as evidenced by the Platt Amendment imposed on the Cuban Constitution.