Draft:List of countries formerly ruled by the United States

The United States, throughout its history, has had political, military, and administrative control over various regions and countries across the world. These territories were often acquired through war, treaties, or other diplomatic means. The following is a list of countries that were once under the rule or administration of the United States, either through direct control or as protectorates and trusteeships:

• Philippines: 1898–1946
• Cuba: 1898–1902 (military occupation)
• Puerto Rico: 1898–present (territory)
• Panama Canal Zone: 1903–1979
• Haiti: 1915–1934
• Dominican Republic: 1916–1924
• Nicaragua: 1912–1933
• Japan (Okinawa and other regions): 1945–1972 (Okinawa), 1945–1952 (Japan)
• South Korea: 1945–1948
• Marshall Islands: 1947–1986 (Trust Territory)
• Micronesia: 1947–1986 (Trust Territory)
• Palau: 1947–1994 (Trust Territory)
• Germany (Western Germany): 1945–1955
• Austria: 1945–1955
• Iraq: 2003–2011

Information

The Philippines was under U.S. rule from 1898 to 1946 following the Spanish-American War, with the U.S. acquiring the territory through the Treaty of Paris and granting full independence on July 4, 1946. Cuba experienced U.S. military occupation from 1898 to 1902, during which the U.S. maintained significant influence until the repeal of the Platt Amendment in 1934. Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, subject to federal law while residents are U.S. citizens. The U.S. occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934 to stabilize the country amid political instability, exerting control over its governance and finances. In the Dominican Republic, the U.S. military intervened from 1916 to 1924 to address political turmoil, establishing a more centralized government with significant U.S. influence. Nicaragua saw U.S. intervention from 1912 to 1933, where military presence protected American interests and affected the political landscape. Following World War II, the U.S. occupied Japan from 1945 until 1952, regaining sovereignty but retaining control over Okinawa and some territories until 1972, leading to significant social changes. South Korea was under U.S. military administration from 1945 to 1948, helping to establish the Republic of Korea, with a lasting military alliance following the Korean War. The Marshall Islands were administered by the U.S. from 1947 to 1986 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, during which the U.S. conducted nuclear testing, affecting local populations. Micronesia was similarly part of this Trust Territory until 1986, gaining sovereignty while maintaining economic ties to the U.S. Palau, also part of the Trust Territory, became independent in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Following World War II, the U.S. occupied the western zones of Germany from 1945 until the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, with occupation ending in 1955, although U.S. forces remained in Germany as part of NATO. Austria was divided into occupation zones after the war, with U.S. control lasting from 1945 to 1955, culminating in the Austrian State Treaty that restored full sovereignty. Iraq faced U.S. invasion in 2003, leading to a military occupation until 2011, during which the U.S. oversaw the establishment of a new government amid significant resistance and controversy.