When the Spanish-American war ended, Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines came under U. S. control. What country controlled them before?

Answer: Spain.

Explanation:

In the first half of the sixteenth century, Cuba became a Spanish colony. The slave labour decimated the indigenous population, to the extent that they brought slaves to work from Africa. The slaves worked intensively on sugar cane plantations. Jose Marti will lead the movement for the freedom of Cuba during the 19th century. The Philippines has been a Spanish colony for over 300 years. Due to this fact, the population is entirely Hispanic. Even today, there are many Spanish names. Guam was also a Spanish colony, from Magellan's first voyage until the 19th century. Guam has become an important holiday stop on the Spanish trade route between the Philippines and Mexico. Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony until 1898. After the Spanish - American War, Puerto Rico was annexed by the United States.