Final answer:
The U.S. gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, and influenced Cuba after the Spanish-American War but only Puerto Rico and Guam remain U.S. territories, while the Philippines and Cuba later achieved independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is partially true; the United States did gain control over the listed territories as a result of its victory in the Spanish-American War of 1898. The Treaty of Paris, which concluded the war, led to the cession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States and recognized Cuba’s independence, although Cuba remained under significant U.S. influence for decades thereafter. Both Puerto Rico and Guam continue to be U.S. territories today, while the Philippines achieved full independence later on. Cuba, after being recognized as independent, was subjected to the Platt Amendment, which allowed the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs and established a U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, but it was not controlled as a U.S. territory.