the panama canal:. what type of problems might occur in building a 50 mile canal? finance$ hot...
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What type of problems might occur in building a 50 mile canal?
Finance$Hot sweltering weatherDiseases (Malaria and Yellow Fever)The terrain (mountains, swamps)Organization/Management
History:
1880- Panama was a province of Columbia. French government just purchased a 5 year concession from Columbia to build a canal across Panama.
1901- Money, illness, and mismanagement caused the project to flop and French sold to lease to US.
Why did the United States want to build the Panama Canal?
What were the benefits?
The Isthmus of Panama. What is an Isthmus?
The Panama CanalA canal would
shorten the time and distance that ships would travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, eliminating the long sea voyage around South America.
How the land deal was acquiredPanama belonged to a larger country called
Colombia.Roosevelt wanted the government of
Colombia to sign a treaty allowing the United States to build a canal through Panama.
The Colombians thought the treaty was unfair and refused to sign it.
continuedRoosevelt was impatient and thought it
would be easier to deal with the people of Panama.
Not all Panamanians were happy being part of Colombia and many wanted independence.
In 1903, Roosevelt quickly sided with the revolutionaries and sent two gunboats to Panama to lend support against Colombia.
continuedThe revolution lasted 3 days and Panama
became an independent nation.12 days later a treaty was signed between
the US and Panama.Unfortunately for the Panamanians, the deal
they signed was worse than the one given to the Colombians.
The TreatyAmericans were given permission to build a
canal.They were given an enormous territory in
which to build the canal, called the Canal Zone.
Panama was given less money than that promised to the Colombians and the US promised to protect Panama’s independence.
How do you think the people of Panama felt?
Construction of the CanalBuilding the canal was a great engineering
feat. Thousands of workers labored for 10 years to carve a path through dense jungle and over mountains.They created a human-made lake and built
locks to raise and lower ships to different water levels.
Major ObstaclesDisease
The region was damp, tropical jungle, hot and swarming with mosquitoes that carried yellow fever and malaria. An army doctor, Colonel William Gorgas, went to Panama to fight and eventually eliminate yellow fever and reduce cases of malaria.
Working on the canalPunishing tropical sun.
By noontime, temperatures would reach 100 degrees and sometimes 130 degrees.
Air was hot and humid.The work site was a slippery, treacherous sea of
mud.Constant harsh racket from trains, drills and steam
shovels were earsplitting.The air was blackened by the coal smoke that
powered from the locomotives and steam shovels.
Opening and BenefitsThe Panama Canal opened on August 15,
1914. The Ancon, a cargo ship, made the first trip. The canal reduced shipping costs, help extend American naval power, and guaranteed a strong American presence in Latin America.
Is that good or bad?
Read “To Roosevelt” byRuben Dario
Answer the following questions:1. What is the Poem about?2. Is it Pro or Anti American? Why?3. Is it Pro or Anti Imperialism? Why?4. Is it Pro or Anti Roosevelt? Why?