Images

The Panama Canal \

By jramos18

  • The U.S. Offers To Buy Land

    The U.S. Offers To Buy Land
    The U.S. passes a spooner bill allowing/authorizing the U.S. to start building the Panama Canal after congress voted in favor of it. Roosevelt offered Columbia $10 million in cash and $250,000 yearly to allow the U.S. to build a Canal through Panama. Columbia's government held out for more money.

  • Taking Panama

    Taking Panama
    Roosevelt knew the Panamanians disliked Columbian rule. Secretly he let them know the U.S. would help if they claimed independence. In return the Panamanians would give the U.S. the canal. A revolt took place, U.S. gunboats waited in the harbor to provide support. U.S. marines landed in Colon to prevent hostile Columbian troops from ttaking Panama City.

  • A Treaty Signed

    A Treaty Signed
    A Frenchman acting for Panama signed the treaty with the U.S. granting the U.S. use of the Isthmus of Panama in exchange for financial compensation. The U.S. Senate ratified it but the Columbian Senate did not.

  • The Building Begins

    The Building Begins
    President Roosevelt establishes the Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC) to see through the construction of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt orders them to "make the dirt fly" -- to start work on the canal as soon as possible. http://natgeotv.com.au/videos/big-bigger-biggest/

  • Struggles

    Struggles
    Excavations exposed unstable mixtures of rocks and clay that weakened further over time. Heavy rainfall washed rocks and debris into the excavated canal channel. American engineers reduced the landslide frequency by cutting very gently sloping sides along sections of the route such as the Culebra Cut. 6,000 died during the process. Another struggle was the need for locks. they had to be huge to control the level of water.

  • Defeating disease

    Defeating disease
    Gorgas found a way to do a way with yellow fever and malaria, President Roosevelt granted the funding, and Gorgas unleashed one of the most extensive sanitary campaigns in history. An army of fumigators visited every private home in Panama repeatedly, armed with cleaning agents, insecticide powder, and wire mesh for screen windows and doors, ending the struggles against disease

  • The Panama Canal Is Finally Finished

    The Panama Canal Is Finally Finished
    The Panama Canal is finally finished allowing faster travel. This connected the Seas. It also allowed more trade since people did not have to go all the way around.