Which territories did the United States gain as a result of the Spanish-American War?

The United States gained significant territories as a direct result of the Spanish-American War in 1898, marking a turning point in its foreign policy and imperial ambitions. The correct answer includes Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. After defeating Spain, the Treaty of Paris was signed in December 1898, leading to the U.S. acquiring these territories.

Cuba became a protectorate of the United States following the war, although it was officially independent. Puerto Rico was ceded to the U.S. and remains a territory today. The Philippines was also ceded, marking the beginning of American colonial rule in the archipelago. This acquisition was pivotal as it signaled the U.S. emergence as a global power with territorial holdings beyond its continental borders.

The other choices do not reflect the outcomes of the Spanish-American War. Mauritius, Guam, and Indonesia are not connected to this historical event, just as Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska were acquired at different times and under different circumstances, none related to the war. Similarly, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama were involved in various U.S. foreign relations and interventions but were not territories acquired as a result of the conflict with Spain.