Final answer:
The Cuban people rebelled against Spanish colonial rule in 1868, influenced by ideas of freedom and economic restrictions, marking the beginning of Cuba's long struggle for independence that involved multiple conflicts and finally led to the Cuban War of Independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cuban Rebellion of 1868
The Cuban people rebelled against Spanish colonial rule in 1868. This rebellion is known as the Ten Years' War or the Great War, which was a fight for independence from Spain. The insurrection was influenced by increasing unrest among the Creole planters and other Cuban sectors motivated by the economic restrictions imposed by the Spanish government as well as by ideas of freedom and democracy. Such sentiments led to an uprising on October 10, 1868, led by planter Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, who freed his slaves and declared independence, marking the beginning of a protracted struggle that set the stage for further revolts and ultimately culminated in the Cuban War of Independence in 1895.
Notably, the U.S. had a complex relationship with the Cuban independence cause. Many Americans were sympathetic to the Cuban rebels, especially due to the brutal Spanish response to the insurrection. There was also a desire among Americans for Cuba Libre, reminiscent of America's own struggle for independence, and U.S. businesses hoped to invest in Cuban agriculture. The Monroe Doctrine also played a role, as Spain's exit from the Caribbean would affirm American authority in the Western Hemisphere. In contrast, the rivalry with Spain invoked humanitarian concerns among the American public, and by the late 1890s, the U.S. provided limited aid to the Cubans, who continued to seek independence from colonial rule.