What was a direct result of the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War?

The U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War in 1898 had significant implications for American imperialism and territorial expansion. One direct result of this victory was the acquisition of territories, notably Cuba and Puerto Rico, as well as Guam and the Philippines. While Cuba was technically granted independence, it fell under heavy U.S. influence through the Platt Amendment, enabling the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and establishing a military presence there. Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory, marking a shift in U.S. policy towards acquiring overseas colonies. This victory signaled an expansion of U.S. influence and foreshadowed a new era of American imperialism, where the United States began to see itself as a global power with colonial interests.

The other options do not reflect direct outcomes of the war. The establishment of peace treaties in Europe is unrelated to the conflict between the United States and Spain. There was no significant shift towards communist policies resulting from the war, as this was an era of expansionist capitalism. Additionally, the end of colonialism in Asia did not occur as a direct consequence of the war; in fact, the U.S. emerged with greater involvement in Asia, particularly through its control of the Philippines. Thus,