Panama By: Ryan C., Claire H., and Kathryn R. Advanced History II Miss Weber

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How did the U.S. get involved?  Columbia had control of Panama  The New Panama Canal Company, a French business held the rights to the canal project Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French engineer who built the Suez Canal was in charge of the project Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French engineer who built the Suez Canal was in charge of the project  President Theodore Roosevelt agreed to pay $40 million to the French business for the rights to the project  He offered Columbia $10 million for a 50 mile strip of land across Panama  Columbia refused Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “I was prepared to... At once occupy the Isthmus anyhow, and proceed to dig the canal. But I deemed it likely that there would be a revolution in Panama soon.” Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “I was prepared to... At once occupy the Isthmus anyhow, and proceed to dig the canal. But I deemed it likely that there would be a revolution in Panama soon.”  Panama did revolt The U.S. sided with Panama The U.S. sided with Panama Panama won Panama won  The U.S. paid Panama $10 million for 10 miles of canal zone Agreed to pay$250,000 each year Agreed to pay$250,000 each year In 1933 it was increased to $430,000 a year In 1933 it was increased to $430,000 a year In 1955 it was increased again to $1,930,000 a year In 1955 it was increased again to $1,930,000 a year  The canal opened in 1914

U.S. Motives and Justifications  Motives The Panama Canal would be a new and faster trade route The Panama Canal would be a new and faster trade route The U.S. could make a profit from trading and other countries using the canal The U.S. could make a profit from trading and other countries using the canal  Justifications The U.S. said they were helping Panama free itself from Columbia The U.S. said they were helping Panama free itself from Columbia The Canal would also help Panama The Canal would also help Panama Increase in tradeIncrease in trade Help the economyHelp the economy

What was the reaction of the local population?  The Columbians were not happy because they no longer had control of Panama  The people were happy to be free from Columbia They celebrated their victory They celebrated their victory  Panamanians were fine with the Americans having control of part of the canal at first  After a while the people wanted the U.S. out of Panama

The Final Result  September 7, 1977 – General Omar Torrijos Herrera and President Jimmy Carter signed multiple treaties Gradually gave Panama control of the canal Gradually gave Panama control of the canal Guaranteed the neutrality of the canal Guaranteed the neutrality of the canal  Panama elected a new president 1984, Nicolas Ardito Barletta There was a major conflict involving Barletta, a former CIA operative General Manuel Noriega, and a few other people There was a major conflict involving Barletta, a former CIA operative General Manuel Noriega, and a few other people In December 1989 war was declared between the U.S. and Panama In December 1989 war was declared between the U.S. and Panama  The war ended in 1990 when Noriega surrendered  In 1999 the U.S. formally gave Panama control of the canal  During this time Columbians have been making regular attacks on Panamanian land  In 2006 Panama approved a plan to expand the canal, which will double its capacity It will most likely be completed in It will most likely be completed in

U.S. is a Mafia Don!  The U.S. was really interested in money and trade not the Panamanians  Roosevelt was sure the people of Panama were going to revolt  When they did revolt Roosevelt troops over on the U.S.S. Nashville to “maintain order”  These troops prevented the Columbian forces from suppressing the Panamanian rebellion When the rebellion was over Roosevelt recognized that Panama was an independent nation When the rebellion was over Roosevelt recognized that Panama was an independent nation  After helping the Panamanians win independence from Columbia the U.S. stayed in Panama They finished building the canal They finished building the canal Still stayed in PanamaStill stayed in Panama A few years later the Panamanians wanted to have control A few years later the Panamanians wanted to have control Not the U.S.Not the U.S. The U.S. replaced Columbia’s presence in Panama The U.S. replaced Columbia’s presence in Panama

Were U.S. actions beneficial?  Columbia No No Helped Panama gain independenceHelped Panama gain independence  Panama Yes Yes The U.S. helped Panama earn its freedomThe U.S. helped Panama earn its freedom America was responsible for the completion of the Panama CanalAmerica was responsible for the completion of the Panama Canal Panama’s economy is mostly dependent on the Panama Canal Panama’s economy is mostly dependent on the Panama Canal The U.S. eventually gave Panamanians complete control over Panama and the Panama CanalThe U.S. eventually gave Panamanians complete control over Panama and the Panama Canal

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