The spanish-american war the united states become a strong leader in the americas. increase control of south american countries. increase trade with countries that were enemies of spain. prevent foreign expansion into the americas.

The best answer is  helped the United States become a strong leader in the Americas.

During the 4 months war, a number of 5,462 Americans died, and overall of 60,000 Spanish soldiers died of disease or wounds. From this American number, only 379 deaths were in battle, all the others were disease related, mostly malaria or yellow fever. At such a cost the United States was launched onto the world scene as a great power, with all the benefits—and burdens—of a new colonial empire of its own. America’s role in the world was changed forever by the campaign, for the United States emerged as an imperial power. The end of the “splendid little war” was also the pathetic end of Spain’s once-great New World empire. Victory in the War of 1898 expanded American self-confidence and helped the United States become a strong leader in the Americas.

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