In the late 19th century, the United States rapidly flourished as a new world power and maintained the most productive economy in the world. Although initially opposed to the idea of ​​expansionism because it seemed inconsistent with American morals and values, interest slowly arose as all other world powers maintained colonial possessions. Eager to demonstrate its newfound authority, the United States panicked as other countries began building their vast empires across Asia and Africa, dominating and controlling the untapped resources there. A change occurred: the United States began to strengthen its army and navy, and politicians took a more aggressive and assertive stance. Tensions began to arise in international relations over territorial disputes and petty disagreements, and the United States seemed almost too eager to start a war. When the USS Maine exploded in Havana, Cuba, the already growing tensions between Spain and the United States immediately turned hostile; thus, triggering the Spanish-American War. Since the Spanish-American War has a lot of importance, the war turned out to be entirely necessary as it was fueled by the accumulation of events and the lack of present alternatives that solidified the cornerstone of the emergence of the United States as a world power. Before the Spanish-American War, the United States often intertwined itself with other countries, making it appear as if it was eager to start conflicts. In the winter of 1888 and 1889, tensions rose between Britain, Germany, and the United States as they argued over coaling stations in Samoa (Musicant 14). As Germany began to move toward annexation, President Cleveland sent three warships to protect the island, and Congress discussed the potential for ...... middle of paper ......h of war Spanish-American history ended in the fall of one world power and the rise of another. The United States fought campaigns with the Spanish in the Pacific Theater of the Philippines and Guam in addition to the Caribbean Theater of Cuba and Puerto Rico (Musicant 58). After a brief four-month war, the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, declaring the independence of Cuba, ceding Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States, and allowing the United States to purchase the Philippines ("The World of 1898 : The Spanish-American War”). Spain lost the last of its colonial possessions to the United States in the form of territories The United States on the other hand began to resemble other world powers as it finally had colonies outside of the nation.