Original: However , most of the Spanish West Indies including Cuba , and Puerto Rico ; and the Spanish East Indies including the Philippine Islands , Guam , and the Mariana Islands remained a part of the Spanish Empire until the Spanish -- American War in 1898 .
Simplified: However , Cuba , Puerto Rico and Spanish East Indies ( including Mariana Islands and the Philippines ) remained a part of the Spanish crown until the Spanish -- American War ( 1898 ) .