Timeline of the Panama Canal

The begining stages of the Panama canal.

Jun 19, 1902

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panama was a province of Columbia. Roosevelt offered Columbia $10 million in cash and 250,000 yearly to build a canal through Panama. Many columbians oppoesed the deal because it would give the U.S. permant control. Other Columbians claimed that the rights were worth far more than the U.S. had offered. Roosevelt didnt want to loose time in bargining over Columbia.

The Revolt

Nov 3, 1903

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A revolt took place on this day. U.S. gunboats waited in the Harbor to provide support for the rebels. U,S. marines landed in Colon to prevent hostile Columbian troops from reaching Panama. This battle only lasted a few hours. They said it was the day the nation of Panama was born.

The signing of the Treaty

Nov 6, 1903

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A frenchman acting for Panama signed a treaty giving the U.S. permant use and control of a 10 mile-wide zone across the Ithmus of Panama. U.S. agreed to pay $10 million and 250,000 a year in rent but 40 million dollars dissapeared.

The building of the Canal

Mar 3, 1904

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The U.S. began the building of the canal. President Roosevelt urged the enginers to "Make the dirt fly". Malraia and yeloow fever were wide spread in Panama. The work woukdnt begin until the disease was fixed.

The Problem

Mar 4, 1904

picture Malaria and yellow fever were really bad, William Gorgas fixed the problem by. It took a year to fix the prblem.

The works of the canal

Nov 11, 1906

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It involved 3 major tasks. Workers had to cut through a mountain, and dam a river. The most challenging job was digging the Galliard cut, a 9 mile ditch throught the moutains. Roosevelt visted the canal and said the project couldnt fail.

The minor incident

Aug 15, 1914

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in 1914 a minor incident happened to lead Wilson to intervine with Mexico. U.S. sailors who went ashore in Tampico were arrested. They were soon released with an apology.That had led to a war which over 100 mexicans died.