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Imperialism in Panama . By Emily Mayer, Kelli Orihuela , and Carson Lacerenza. How did the US get involved?. Signed Hay- Bunau Varilla treaty which authorized the US to construct the Panama canal. In 1903 the United States secured treaty to build a canal across Panama.
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Imperialism in Panama By Emily Mayer, Kelli Orihuela, and Carson Lacerenza
How did the US get involved? • Signed Hay-BunauVarilla treaty which authorized the US to construct the Panama canal. • In 1903 the United States secured treaty to build a canal across Panama. • The United States took over Panama after Panama declared independence over Columbia
United States Justifications • Due to mosquitoes carrying yellow fever the US told Panama they would install a pure water supply and a modern sewage disposal • Helped overthrow Columbian rule of Panama. • Would help Panama’s economy by creating jobs along the canal such as tolls
Did the U.S. Justify There Actions • Yes • They did put pure water and fix the sewages • They did create more jobs by hiring people to work on the canal • We paid for payments instead of making the Panamanians pay
What were the US motives? • Make a good naval base • Alfred Mahan “The canal will become a strategic center of the most vital importance.” • Good way to control the Caribbean Basin • Make it easy to defend Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. • The US wanted a shortcut from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific • Take advantage of raw materials produced there
Motives Continued • Potential to be the most strategic waterways in the worlds • US knew that the Panama Canal would increase their trade. The French started working on it, but many of their workers died in the process because of malaria. • Wanted to secure economic benefits in the area.
What was the reaction of the local population? • Between 1850 and 1900 Panama had 40 administrations, 50 riots, 5 attempted cessations, and 13 US intervention. • After the proposal of the canal rights was rejected, Panama proclaimed its independence from the US in 1903. • After WWII more and more Panamanians found the U.S. control of the canal disagreeable
What was the final result? • Current use of canal: In 1979 the canal was used by 13,056 ships • Panama awarded the US full control of the canal and the entire canal zone • On December 31,1999 The U.S. gave Panama full control over the canal due to the conflict the canal had brought upon the U.S. and Panama • One of the seven wonders of the modern world
Superman or Mafia Don? • Mafia Don • The US helped Panama gain independence from Columbia because the government saw the potential of creating the Panama canal • By Panama letting the US build the canal the US knew that they would have the most trade income from the ships that used the canal
Were U.S. actions beneficial? • Yes • It’s a short cut between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean that numerous countries use • 70% of all canal trade is bound to come to or from the United States • Teddy Roosevelt “The canal was by far the most important action I took in foreign affairs during the time I was president when nobody could or would exercise efficient authority I exercised it.”
List of works cited • "Panama Canal ." The Panama Canal . Small Planet Communications , 2000. Web. 7 Oct. 2010. <http://www.smplanet.com/imperialism/joining.html >. • "Panama Canal ." Complete Listing of World Wonders. Wonder Club , 2007. Web. 9 Oct. 2010. <http://www.wonderclub.com/AllWorldWonders.html >. • Barrett, J, and W LaFeber. "The Panama Canal ." The Panama Canal . Hammond & Lewin, 9 July 1997 . Web. 9 Oct. 2010. <http://www.eclipse.co.uk/~sl5763/ panama.htm >.