What was one of the consequences of the U.S. victory at Santiago for Spain?

The destruction of Spain's navy at Santiago was a pivotal consequence of the U.S. victory during the Spanish-American War. The battle, particularly the naval engagement at Santiago Bay in July 1898, resulted in the overwhelming defeat of the Spanish fleet. The U.S. forces, equipped with modern naval technology and superior tactics, effectively decimated the Spanish ships, which rendered Spain's naval capabilities severely diminished.

This loss had profound implications; it marked the end of Spanish colonial power in the Americas and signified the emergence of the United States as a formidable naval power. With the Spanish fleet incapacitated, Spain was unable to defend its remaining territories effectively, leading to a shift in global power dynamics. The defeat not only highlighted the obsolescence of Spain's naval strength but also set the stage for Spain's eventual loss of its colonies, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, following the Treaty of Paris that ended the war.

The other choices reflect misunderstandings of the broader implications of the U.S. victory. While there were consequences such as political changes in Spain and their eventual surrender, the immediate and significant impact was indeed the annihilation of Spain's naval fleet, which had far-reaching effects on the country's status as a colonial power.