The impact of the Spanish-American War on U.S. territorial expansion was significant, as it resulted in the U.S. acquiring several overseas territories. Following its victory in 1898, the United States gained Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain, marking a shift in American policy toward imperialism. The war catalyzed a new phase of U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing military expansion and economic influence in Latin America and Asia. This expansion also ignited debates over imperialism in American society, reshaping national identity and influencing the country's role on the global stage as an emerging power.