Panama Canal

Mr. Parrish

2015

Before the CanalBefore the opening of the Canal in 1914, travelers would have to sail around South America in order to reach the opposite ocean (Pacific- Atlantic). Americans could also travel by land but without major highways and railways, this proved difficult as well This trip in the late 1800s could take up to six months to sail.

Need for the Canal

A canal connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean would greatly reduce travel for both commercial shipping and military fleets, therefore reducing costs as well as travel time. The Spanish-American War helped make that clear.

The Isthmus

The best spot to build a canal was through the Isthmus of Panama, which at the time was a part of the nation of Columbia. After STRONG persuasion( U.S. Navy) from the Americans, and a small revolution, Columbia relinquished their control.

Earlier Work on The Canal

France began work on the canal in 1881, but had to stop because of engineering problems and high mortality due to disease. Yellow Fever or malaria cause numerous deaths and problems for the French. The United States took over the project in 1904.

United States begin work on The Canal

After securing the rights from the Panamanians to resume building the canal in 1904, America will start working on the “Canal Zone”. Soon the Americans faced the same issues the French struggled with :

MALARIAAn infectious disease that was known to cause a deadly fever and death. Often spread by mosquitoes.

Building the Canal

• More than 44,000 workers• Over 5500 deaths• America will control the Canal

until 1999 when we turned it over to Panama.• Cost more than $350 million• Most expensive project EVER!

• Finished by 1914Roosevelt during a visit to the Canal Zone in 1906