Acquisition of Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Cuba

After the Treaty of Paris signed prior to the end of the Spanish American War, the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines were gained by the United States. Here is what happened to these territories after the War:

Guam- After it became a territory of the U.S., Guam was captured by Japan in 1941, but was retaken by the United States in 1944. It became an organized, unincorporated territory of the U.S. in August, 1950.

The Philippines- It became a self-governing country commonwealth in 1935. Japan took over the country from 1942-1944. The United States regained the islands in 1945, and full independence was granted in July 1946.

Puerto Rico- On March 2, 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act, which placed Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory and granted Puerto Ricans statutory citizenship. In March 1952, Puerto Rico's governor Luis Munoz Marin, proclaimed Puerto Rico a freely associated U.S. under the new constitution.

Cuba- It became its own country rather than a U.S. territory