What territory was acquired by the United States after the Spanish-American War?

The acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines by the United States after the Spanish-American War marked a significant expansion of U.S. territory and influence. This conflict, which lasted from April to August 1898, resulted in the Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, through which Spain ceded these territories to the United States.

Puerto Rico and Guam became unincorporated territories of the U.S., meaning they were subject to U.S. sovereignty but did not have the same status as states. The Philippines, after a brief period of insurrection against American rule, ultimately became an American colony, which significantly influenced U.S. policy in Asia and led to a more prominent American presence in global affairs.

The other options do not reflect territories acquired as a direct result of the Spanish-American War. Hawaii was annexed earlier in 1898, Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867, and while Cuba was liberated from Spanish control, it was not formally annexed by the U.S. due to the Platt Amendment, which imposed conditions on Cuban sovereignty but maintained its independence. Thus, the territories acquired after the war significantly altered both the geography and the political landscape of the United States.