Crossroads: High School Curriculum
Unit VIII: Waves of Reform: 1880s to 1921
Lesson 2
SITUATIONS IN BRIEF
Panama
The Spanish-American War emphasized the importance for hemispheric and world trade of building a canal across the isthmus of Central America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Because the Panama district of the nation of Colombia is the narrowest place on the isthmus, it is the natural site for a canal. French efforts in Panama to match the French construction in 1869 of the Suez Canal have failed, and the United States is eager to take up the challenge, for reasons of economic interest, technological challenge, and national pride.
The United States has offered ten million dollars to Colombia for a strip of land across the Panama district where the canal would be built, but Colombia has delayed its action on the offer, convinced that it can find a better offer elsewhere. The Colombian delay has outraged the United States. Americans desire the canal to protect United States territories in the Pacific; a canal would enable American warships to reach the Pacific Ocean that much more quickly. President Theodore Roosevelt, eager for the canal, has demanded repeatedly that the United States and Colombia reach a deal; yet the Colombian senate has stalled, with other Colombians ranged in opposition to the deal for a variety of reasons, including their distrust of Roosevelt's intentions and resentment of American power. Meanwhile, Panamanians and Americans residing in Panama are growing increasingly unhappy with Colombian rule. In November 1903, they stage a rebellion against Colombia, seeking to establish an independent republic of Panama. Roosevelt captures the moment by sending an American gunboat to the coast of Panama and threatening Colombia with severe reprisals if its forces take any action against American nationals in Panama. This maneuver cripples Colombia's attempts to put down the revolt, and Panama declares its independence. The United States has negotiated a quick treaty with the new government and has begun plans to build the canal across Panama.