Treaty of Paris (1898): Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Treaty of Paris of 1898, signed on December 10, 1898, ended the Spanish-American War. The United States paid Spain USD 20 Million for possession of the Philippines, who having thought themselves free of colonial rule fought the United States in the Philippine-American War. Puerto Rico and Guam were also placed under American control, and Spain relinquished its claim to Cuba. The defeat put an end to the Spanish Empire, and marked the beginning of a period of United States colonial power.