1. The Panama Canal
The French started it, mosquitoes nearly killed it, and American railroads helped make it a reality

2. The Suez Canal

3. Suez Canal Connections between Nile and Red Sea dug in ancient times
Modern canal by Ferdinand de Lesseps
Easy terrain
Principal winner: Britain enabled to extend military reach
Red Sea organisms invading Mediterranean

4. The Suez-Panama Connection
De Lesseps took on the job of building a canal across Panama
Nobody else could have kept the project going as long as it did
22,000 died before project abandoned in 1893
French actually excavated about 1/3 of canal
Built railroad across Panama

5. The Nicaragua Alternative

6. Volcan Momotombo

7. Nicaragua or Panama?
French lobbied hard to have the U.S. take over their route in Panama
An ill-timed postage stamp killed the Nicaragua route
French investors in Panama bought out

8. The Panama Canal U.S. and Colombia sign treaty in 1901 to build canal
Colombian Senate refuses to ratify
U.S. backs separatist revolt in Panama

9. How U.S. Succeeded Disease control
Life support for workers to ensure long term commitment
Get a Bigger Hammer
Bigger equipment
U.S. experience with railroads

10. The Future?
Largest ships cannot use the Panama Canal despite improvements
Sea Level Canal?
Panama?
Nicaragua?
Environmental Impacts?