The Spanish fled from the Philippines in 1898. This exodus followed the Spanish-American War, during which the United States defeated Spain and asserted control over its former colonies, including the Philippines. The war arose from the U.S. support for the Philippine Revolution and the desire for independence from Spanish rule. Following the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States, marking a significant shift in colonial power. The departure of the Spanish led to further struggles for independence, culminating in the Philippine-American War, as Filipinos sought to resist American colonization.