America Becomes an Empire

The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a major turning point in U.S. history. Triggered in part by the explosion of the USS Maine and rising tensions in Cuba, the war led to a quick American victory over Spain. As a result, the United States gained overseas territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, transforming it into a global power. However, this expansion sparked debates about imperialism and challenged the nation’s founding ideals of freedom and self-determination.