5. Panama Canal Why was the Panama Canal so important? The Panama Canal was built by the United States and remained under American control until 1999. It allowed worldwide maritime shipping to move more quickly with fewer obstacles. Instead of rounding South America, shipping could now simply pass through the canal.

6. Panama Canal What hardships were American workers facing while building the Panama Canal? Laborers had to cut through low, swampy land. They risked contracting, and possibly dying from, yellow fever and malaria.

7. Panama Canal In what ways was the building of the Panama Canal a projection of American power? This event may have further entrenched the United States as a “world player” economically as well as an imperial power.

8. Discussion How do you think successfully overthrowing Hawaii’s monarchy affected attitudes in the United States about the U.S. role in the world? It may have caused Americans to see the United States as a growing world economic force and imperial power.