Final answer:
The passage describes the acquisition of the Philippines by the United States after the Spanish-American War, making the correct answer D) the Philippines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage describes events that led to the U.S. acquisition of territory following the Spanish-American War. After the war, several former Spanish possessions were ceded or sold to the United States. Among them, the Philippines stand out as a significant acquisition. Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'This passage describes events that led to the U.S. acquisition of what territory?' is D) the Philippines.