What factors led the uniited States to claim new territories in Latin America and the Pacific in late 1800s and early 1900s

After becoming a rich and industrilized nation, the US looked for a larger involvement in world affairs to promote its interests globally. Rebellions for independence against the Spanish in both Cuba and the Philippines gave it a pretext for action to achieve those ambitious goals. Washington declared war on Spain and defeated it quickly in 1898. As a result, the US incorporated the Philippines, Puerto Rica, Guam and gained control of Cuba.