Final answer:
After the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and other Pacific islands, though Cuba later became independent while others remained U.S. territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spanish-American War Territorial Gains
As a result of the Spanish-American War in the late 1890s, the United States emerged as a colonial power by gaining several territories that had been part of the Spanish empire. These newly acquired territories included Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and various other Pacific islands. While Cuba was granted independence in 1902, it continued to fall under the influence of the United States for many years thereafter. Puerto Rico and Guam remain U.S. territories to this day. In the case of the Philippines, it was sold to the United States for $20 million and was governed by the U.S. until it gained its independence after World War II. The Spanish-American War marked a significant moment in U.S. history, as it signaled the rise of the United States as a global military power and shaped geopolitical dynamics as the 20th century unfolded.