The entry in 1898 of the United States into Spain's war against the pro-independence fighters in Cuba and the Philippines resulted in Spain's loss of its last colonies. Under the Treaty of Paris, Cuba was granted independence and Puerto Rico and the Philippines became US protectorates. The loss of human life in the war was enormous. The economic consequences of the disappearance of safe colonial markets were also severe. The failure led to a crisis and the emergence of a movement of regenerators in Spain. In Catalonia, the defeat raised a new awareness amongst the industrial bourgeoisie and was the definitive starting point for political Catalanism.