How did the U.S. get the Philippines?

The U.S. acquired the Philippines following the Spanish-American War in 1898. After defeating Spain, the Treaty of Paris was signed in December 1898, which ceded the Philippines to the U.S. for $20 million. This marked the beginning of American colonial rule in the Philippines, which sparked resistance and led to the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902. The U.S. established a colonial government, ultimately granting the Philippines independence in 1946.