Panama Ali Kurnath, Mary Durkin, Shayna Lasala, Sam Zaycer

How the U.S got involved In 1903 Columbia had control of Panama U.S wanted rights to the Panama Canal,

which was controlled by a French business that held the rights to the project

French said Roosevelt had to pay them $40 million for their rights over the project. He agreed.

Roosevelt offered to pay Columbia $10 million for a strip of land across Panama. Columbia refused

Panama revolted and U.S supported them. Panama won.

America paid Panama $10 million a year for 10 miles of the canal.

About every 20 years price was increased.

The canal opened in 1914.

How the U.S got involved

U.S Motives Having the Panama Canal would help the U.S

with trade Maintain good naval base It was also a lot faster for trade Us wanted shortcut from the Atlantic ocean to

the Pacific Wanted to secure economic benefits within the

area Potential to be one of the most strategic

waterways

U.S Justifications The canal would help Panama increase

their trade and also make a profit. U.s would create a modern sewage

system A way to supply clean water due to

mosquitoes carrying yellow fever. Would help Panamas economy by

making tolls along the canal (jobs)

Did the US justify their actions? Created jobs along the canal

Fixed all the sewage systems and created a way to store clean water (preventing disease)

US paid for payments for all the construction (example: sewage system)

Reaction of the LocalsPanama liked the fact that they were

free from Columbia and that America owned part of the Canal.

Eventually Panama did not want U.S to have control over any part of the Canal.

The Columbians were not happy about losing Panama.

Final Reaction In 1977, General Torrios and Jimmy

Carter agreed on two things. -Panama could have control of the

Canal and neutrality in the Canal (didn’t completely receive until 1999)

Columbia was still attacking Panama In 2006 a new plan for the Canal was

approved.

Mafia Don or Superman?

Mafia Don All America wanted was more profit and more

trade. Said they were going to help Panama free

themselves from Columbia But when Panama revolted, Roosevelt just sent

over troops to keep everything under control. After Panama gained independence the U.S

stayed in Panama which] Held Panama back from being completely

independent.

Were U.S actions beneficial?U.S was more beneficial than not because they helped Panama gain independence.

We also helped finish the Canal

And America eventually gave Panama total control

Works Cited http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A010787

0.html http://hackingfamily.com/chris/School/pa

nama_canal_control.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2030.ht

m