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Before Construction
U.S. was a world power and Panama was a provience of Colombia. Teddy Roosevelt offered Columbia $10 million in cash and $250,000 for yearly rent. After Panama became an independent country they sold the canal land to the U.S. -
Period: to
The Panamal Canal
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Panama wins independence
Panama revolts against Columbia for independence. With the help of the U.S. goverment offering to provide support for the rebels. The U.S. gunboats waited in the harbor to provide support for the rebels. U.S. marines landed in Colón to prevent hostile Colombian troops from reaching Panama City. Many Americans were alarmed by T.R. role in the revolt criticizing his "gunboat diplomacy." After Panama won the revolt the U.S. immediately recognized the Independence Republic of Panama. -
Buying the Land
A Frenchman acting for Panama signed a treaty giving the U.S. permanent use and control of a 10-mile-wide zone across the Isthmus of Panama. The U.S. agreeed to pay $10 million plus $250,000 in yearly rent. -
Building Begins
The U.S. government began to build the Panama Canal across the land Presidnet T.R. ureged the engineers to "Make the dirt fly!". When workers began many became ill form yellow fever and malaria. Real work could not begin until the diseases were gone. -
Disease in the Canal
Malaria and Yellow fever were widespread in Panama. Work could not begin in the canal until the diseases were gone. William C. Gorgas, an American expert on tropical diseases, took up the problem. He drained the swamps were the mosquitos lived and killed almost all of them. By 1906 Gorgas had nearly wiped out yellow fever and malaria in Panama -
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Summary/reflection
In June 19, 1902 the U.S. was a world power and Panama was a provience of Colombia. Teddy Roosevelt first offered $10 million in cash and $250,000 in yearly rent to allow the U.S. to build a canal through Panama. Colombia did not want to give the U.S. the land so the U.S. promised Panama if they revolted against Colombia then the U.S. help them become there own country. After Panama won the revolt the U.S. announced they were there own country. Panama sold the U.S. the land to build the canal. -
Work CItited
