The outcome of the Spanish-American War, fought in 1898, was a decisive victory for the United States. The war resulted in Spain's defeat and the end of its colonial rule in the Americas, leading to the cession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. The war marked a significant turning point in U.S. foreign policy, signifying its emergence as an imperial power. Following the war, the Treaty of Paris was signed, which officially ended the conflict and spurred debates within the United States about imperialism, national identity, and the implications of acquiring overseas territories.