Hello! The Spanish-American was a war in 1898 between the U.S. and Spain, because back at that time, Spain had territories such as Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam. The U.S. was supporting Cuba, who were fighting for independence from Spain, so the Battleship Maine went over to Cuba to help support them. The United States was not involved at first, but due to the Battleship Maine sinking, it caused war and it lasted for months. It ended with the Treaty of Paris of 1898, when Spain had to give up nearly all of its remaining territory, such as the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.