1. Imperialism in Panama By Emily Mayer, Kelli Orihuela, and Carson Lacerenza

2. How did the US get involved? Signed Hay-Bunau Varilla treaty which authorized the US to construct the Panama canal. In 1903 the United States secured treaty to build a canal across Panama. The United States took over Panama after Panama declared independence over Columbia

3. United States Justifications Due to mosquitoes carrying yellow fever the US told Panama they would install a pure water supply and a modern sewage disposal Helped overthrow Columbian rule of Panama. Would help Panama’s economy by creating jobs along the canal such as tolls

4. Did the U.S. Justify There Actions Yes They did put pure water and fix the sewages They did create more jobs by hiring people to work on the canal We paid for payments instead of making the Panamanians pay

5. What were the US motives? Make a good naval base Alfred Mahan “The canal will become a strategic center of the most vital importance.” Good way to control the Caribbean Basin Make it easy to defend Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The US wanted a shortcut from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Take advantage of raw materials produced there

6. Motives Continued Potential to be the most strategic waterways in the worlds US knew that the Panama Canal would increase their trade. The French started working on it, but many of their workers died in the process because of malaria. Wanted to secure economic benefits in the area.

7. What was the reaction of the local population? Between 1850 and 1900 Panama had 40 administrations, 50 riots, 5 attempted cessations, and 13 US intervention. After the proposal of the canal rights was rejected, Panama proclaimed its independence from the US in 1903. After WWII more and more Panamanians found the U.S. control of the canal disagreeable

9. What was the final result? Current use of canal: In 1979 the canal was used by 13,056 ships Panama awarded the US full control of the canal and the entire canal zone On December 31,1999 The U.S. gave Panama full control over the canal due to the conflict the canal had brought upon the U.S. and Panama One of the seven wonders of the modern world

10. Superman or Mafia Don? Mafia Don The US helped Panama gain independence from Columbia because the government saw the potential of creating the Panama canal By Panama letting the US build the canal the US knew that they would have the most trade income from the ships that used the canal

11. Were U.S. actions beneficial? Yes It’s a short cut between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean that numerous countries use 70% of all canal trade is bound to come to or from the United States Teddy Roosevelt “The canal was by far the most important action I took in foreign affairs during the time I was president when nobody could or would exercise efficient authority I exercised it.”

13. List of works cited "Panama Canal." The Panama Canal. Small Planet Communications, 2000. Web. 7 Oct. 2010.. "Panama Canal." Complete Listing of World Wonders. Wonder Club, 2007. Web. 9 Oct. 2010.. Barrett, J, and W LaFeber. "The Panama Canal." The Panama Canal. Hammond & Lewin, 9 July 1997. Web. 9 Oct. 2010..