-
Purchase of Panama Canal
Battle Ship Oregon left from San Francisco, the trip was 14,000 miles long. Roosevelt wanted a shorter route so the U.S. could protect their new overseas empire. Panama was a province of Colombia in 1902. The strip of land Roosevelt wanted was 50 miles wide. Roosevelt made an offer to Colombia saying the U.S. would give them $10 million in cash and $250,000 yearly in rent for the land. Colombia said no and stuck their hand out for more money. -
Revolt in Panama
The U.S. sent gunboats to protect the Panamanians. U.S. Marines land in Colon. They protected the Panamanians from people who didn't want Panama to have its independence. Many Americans were alarmed by Roosevelt's "Gunboat Diplomacy." Panama Claimed independence. -
Roosevelt's Second Offer to Panama
Roosevelt offers Panama $10 million in cash and $250,000 yearly in rent. This is for a 10 mile wide zone across the isthmus of Panama. A isthmus is a small area of land the conectes two larger areas of land. Panama accepts the offer. The building of the Panama Canal begins. -
Make Dirt Fly
Roosevelt urged engineers to make dirt fly. The first problem was disease. They had to get rid of mosquitos. William C. Gorgas came in to help. The mosquitos had malaria and yellow fever. They started to get rid of the mosquitos with the help of Gorgas. -
The Real Building Begins
By 1906 Gorgas had nearly wiped out malaria and yellow fever. The workers had to cut threw a mountain. They had to dam a river. They even had to erect the canal's giant locks. The lock are were ships could go threw and the could raise or lower the water level so the ship could go threw. -
Canals Used For War
The Panama Canal was used to send products during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Boats would transport goods and soldiers through the canal. About 15,000 ships went through the canal during the Vietnam war. -
Tolls
The cost through the canal was raised to $1.08 per ton. Queen Elizabeth had to pay for the most expensive toll. The toll cost Queen Elizabeth $42,077.88. -
-
Work Cited
Works Cited "American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2016. "The Building of the Panama Canal." American History USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2016. Davidson, James West. America: History of Our Nation Civil War to Present. N.p.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. Print. Panama Canal Full Transit in 5-minutes, Cruzando El Canal De Panama En 5 Minutos. Youtube. ChantYip, 3 July 2012. Web.
