After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States acquired several territories from Spain, most notably Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. This acquisition marked a significant expansion of U.S. territorial influence and underscored the transition of the U.S. into a global imperial power. The Philippines, in particular, sparked debate and conflict over the nature of U.S. imperialism, leading to the Philippine-American War as local insurgents opposed American rule. Conversely, the acquisition of Puerto Rico and Guam established a U.S. presence in the Caribbean and the Pacific, paving the way for future political, military, and economic involvement in these regions.