As Spain continued to control the areas in Latin America and Asia, the quest for independence in Cuba and Philippines culminated into conflict. This is known as the Spanish-American War.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Scroll over each flag to see the major events of the Spanish-American War.

Answer the following question using your notes. After being defeated by the United States in the Spanish-American War, Spain had to also give up possession of Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. How do you think this impacted Spain's position as a world leader?

Image of an original print of the meeting of 12 men who signed the peace treaty. Four of the men are standing while six are seated at a long table.

Source: Spanish-American Treaty of Peace, Library of Congress

This is a depiction of the Spanish and American representatives signing the peace treaty in Paris after the Spanish-American War.