1. Panama
To Canal or not to Canal

2. PANAMA CANAL

3. American Involvement
Roosevelt negotiated for canal with Colombian diplomats.
Colombian agent signed treaty that gave canal for $10 million
Colombian senate outraged, and refused to ratify
Roosevelt planned to organize and finance revolution
Received help from French Co. (Banau-Varilla)
Roosevelt prevented Columbia from suppressing rebellion
US recognized Panama as a country
New government agreed to US terms
Canal finished in 1914

4. United States Motives & Justifications
Needed easier passage over oceans
Easier contact with Eastern World
Improved Naval Mobility
Simpler Trade Routes
Justifications
US was expanding
“Mandate from Civilization”
Colombia wronged US by prohibiting advancement
Would help Panama’s economy
- Justifications had no foundation
- Motives were apparent

5. Reaction of Local Population
Colombians were inconsolably and unimaginably outraged.
Panama was happy with independence
Panama content to grant US usage of canal

6. Final Results US has secure passage from Atlantic to Pacific
Colombians and the rest of South America distrust the US
Imperialism in US continues to grow
Europe and the world frown on the US as the “Big Brother”

7. The United States: A Mafia Don
US gave Panama independence for access to Panama Canal
US offered to build canal and give it to Panama to access
The US helped forcefully take Colombian land for personal gain

8. US Actions: Beneficial or Detrimental?
Beneficial to US
- Improved Naval Mobility
- Open Route to Trade with East
- Sailing around South America not necessary
Detrimental
- Portrayed US in a negative way
- “Big Brother” Imperialism evident
- Relations with South America strained
- Colombian power weakened

9. Works Cited
Brown, Sharen. "The Panama Canal." Institute of International Studies: Latin America Semester Institute of International Studies of Missouri Southern State College, 6 Jan Web. 8 Oct <
Holmgren, Chuck. "The Panama Canal." Panama-Pacific International Exposition. University of Virginia American Studies Program, Web. 8 Oct < holmgren/ppie/pc.html>.
"The Panama Canal." Global Perspectives. Wheeling Jesuit University Center for Educational Technologies, Web. 8 Oct < PCtopic3.html>.