Historical1898
Spanish-American War Ends
The United States and Spain signed a protocol of peace ending the Spanish-American War. The subsequent Treaty of Paris gave the U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, transforming the nation into a power with overseas territories.
Why It Matters
The end of the Spanish-American War sparked a fierce national debate about imperialism and whether a republic founded on self-governance could justly govern peoples without their consent.