The Spanish-American War was sparked by a combination of factors, including Spain's harsh treatment of Cuban civilians, exaggerated news stories in American newspapers, and the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor, which most Americans blamed on Spain. After the U.S. navy's surprise victory over the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay and Theodore Roosevelt's popular leadership of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill, Spain was defeated and ceded control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris. This established the U.S. as a new world power and had long-term consequences, as the nation took on responsibilities of governing new territories and projecting its influence in