Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War (1898) was a conflict between the United States and Spain, primarily over issues related to Cuban independence. Growing tensions stemmed from Spanish colonial rule and humanitarian concerns, particularly after the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor. The U.S. quickly defeated Spain, resulting in the Treaty of Paris, which ceded Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. This war marked the U.S. emergence as a global power and prompted debates about imperialism and American expansionism, shaping international relations in the early 20th century.