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 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 Locals  Panama 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

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Works Cited   nama_canal_control.htm nama_canal_control.htm  tm tm