The United States has a complex history of colonization and territorial expansion. While the U.S. itself was originally a colony of Britain, it later engaged in its own form of colonization and territorial acquisition. Here are some of the key territories and countries that the United States has colonized or controlled:
- Philippines: After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States took control of the Philippines from Spain. The U.S. ruled the Philippines until 1946 when the country gained independence.
- Puerto Rico: Also acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico remains a U.S. territory to this day.
- Guam: Another territory acquired from Spain in 1898, Guam is still a U.S. territory.
- American Samoa: The U.S. took control of American Samoa in 1900 through a treaty with Germany and Britain. It remains a U.S. territory.
- Hawaii: Although not a traditional colony, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became a state in 1959.
- Panama Canal Zone: The U.S. controlled the Panama Canal Zone from 1903 to 1979, after supporting Panama’s independence from Colombia.
These territories and countries experienced varying degrees of U.S. influence and control, shaping their histories in significant ways.