Puerto+Rico,+Guam,+Cuba,+Philippines+-+Andrew

Pueto Rico Guam Cuba Philippines PUERTO RICO, GUAM, CUBA, PHILIPPINES were taken by United States of America as a result of the Paris Treaty 1898. The Paris Treaty 1898 was signed forcefully as USA won the Spanish American War against Spain. It was a war America took on with almost no reason. Before the Spanish American war tensions between Spain and America was already growing. America, who wanted to establish foreign colonies was hindered by countries like Spain. America, looking for colonies of feasible size, had realized spots like Guam and Cuba were already taken by Spain. Because Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines, and Cuba are legitimately coordinated within the zone of Monroe Doctrine, US decided to steal them from Spain. America started to meddle with peace issues within Spanish territories, such as Cuban Fight for Independence. Cuba, urged by America and Spain, suffer internal chaos and are divided in pro-Spanish and pro-American group. As riots rose, US sent a warship USS Maine to get involved with. However, USS Maine was exploded by a boiler function failure. Taking this valuable chance, the media blamed Spain for the explosion. Agreed upon majority of citizens, America declared war against Spain that turned to American victory in a relatively short time period. Soon after the war Paris Treaty was established and ownership of Guam, Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico were handed over to America.

Guam, Cuba and Puerto Rico remained rather silent because USA granted them relative freedom as protectorates, and promised eventual independence. Actually, Guam is maintaining a relationship of 'unincorporated' territory, but culturally united. Puerto Rico participated as one of the voting states for the new presidential election in 2008. Cuba was granted independence in 1902.

For Philippines, it was a different situation. Philippines declared war against USA when the Paris Treaty was signed, but was overwhelmed soon after. Filipinos were people of strong patriotism and America did not intend to give such valuable colony up. Constant revolutions happened. Philippines is the only colony out of four where USA was forced to relinquish its sovereignty as a result of World War II.

While Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines were maintaining to their traditions, Guam was almost totally Americanized, like just any other city in America. The indigenous population, the Chamorros, was reduced to 37% while other races like Caucasian, Asian (Korean, Chinese, Japanese) Filipinos and neighboring Micronesians. Cuban independence as sovereign nation resulted in serious conflict with USA during the Cold War, and still has tensions with USA as communist state. Puerto Rico is just a nice docile protectorate. Philippines, along with Singapore, is now one of the wealthy South East Asian countries by aid of USA. These regions exclusively speak English and helped them communicate and speak throughout the world.

USA could use those islands as successful stepping points to advance toward Japan during World War II. Many missile bases and docks were constructed and played important role in withstanding Japan. Gain of Philippines boosted American industrialization. Without Philippines' resources, America wouldn't have grown as much. Only effects those had on America was its satisfaction as imperialist country. Practical gain was not significant.

Reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-American_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_expansion_of_the_United_States and most of it from my existing knowledge