How did the spanish-american war contribute to the u. s. becoming a “colonial empire” or world power?

The Spanish-American War of 1898 settled the status of the United States as a Pacific power. U.S. success in the war allowed a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to resign claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. During the conflict, the United States annexed the independent state of Hawaii as well. Therefore, the war enabled the United States to secure its power in the Caribbean region and to seek its economic interests in Asia.