By gaining possessions and influence in Asia and the Americas during the Spanish-American War, the United States

The Spanish-American War of 1898 brought the United States control of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, while it also gained influence in the Americas. These new possessions expanded U.S. reach beyond its own continent, making it a worldwide power with an extended empire. The war did not force China and Japan to open their ports.

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