Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States acquired several overseas possessions. The major ones include:
The Philippines: The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain through the Treaty of Paris in 1898. The U.S. initially intended to grant the Philippines independence, but instead, it became an American territory until it gained independence in 1946.
Guam: Guam, a Pacific island, was ceded to the United States by Spain under the Treaty of Paris. It remains an unincorporated territory of the United States today.
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico, another Caribbean island, also came under American control through the Treaty of Paris. It became an unincorporated territory and remains a U.S. territory to this day.
Cuba: While the United States played a significant role in the Spanish-American War, Cuba did not become a U.S. possession. The U.S. supported Cuban independence, and after the war, Cuba gained independence but with certain provisions in the Platt Amendment that allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs.
Other smaller possessions: The United States also acquired smaller territories such as the Wake Island, the Philippines' Guam, and Samoa.
Regarding whether this was a truly worldwide "empire," it depends on how you define an empire. While the United States did acquire several overseas possessions, it did not expand its control extensively to all corners of the globe like traditional empires such as the British or the Roman Empire. However, it did mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and demonstrated American interests in projecting power beyond its continental borders.
The United States dealt with these new lands in different ways based on their strategic importance and cultural context. In the case of the Philippines, the U.S. initially sought to establish colonial administration and implemented policies to "Americanize" the islands. Over time, the U.S. adopted a policy of gradual self-government, eventually granting the Philippines independence. Puerto Rico and Guam became unincorporated territories, with the United States maintaining control but offering certain levels of self-governance.