Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War (1898) was a conflict between the United States and Spain triggered by the Cuban struggle for independence, resulting in U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines and establishing the U.S. as a major overseas power. It is referenced as a historical milestone marking the beginning of substantial U.S. overseas military operations.

Claims that use this term

• U.S. overseas base operations long predate the 1898 Spanish-American War.
• US overseas bases predated the Spanish-American War by nearly a century