The Spanish-American War was a conflict fought in 1898 between the United States and Spain. The war was primarily sparked by the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor and growing American support for Cuban independence from Spanish rule. The U.S. aimed to expand its influence and protect its interests in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The war lasted only a few months, resulting in a decisive victory for the United States. The Treaty of Paris, signed in December 1898, ceded territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S., marking a significant shift in American foreign policy and imperialism.