Panama

1. Panama By: Ryan C., Claire H., and Kathryn R. Advanced History II Miss Weber

2. Map

3. How did the U.S. get involved? • Columbia had control of Panama • The New Panama Canal Company, a French business held the rights to the canal project • Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French engineer who built the Suez Canal was in charge of the project • President Theodore Roosevelt agreed to pay $40 million to the French business for the rights to the project • He offered Columbia $10 million for a 50 mile strip of land across Panama • Columbia refused • Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “I was prepared to . . . At once occupy the Isthmus anyhow, and proceed to dig the canal. But I deemed it likely that there would be a revolution in Panama soon.” • Panama did revolt • The U.S. sided with Panama • Panama won • The U.S. paid Panama $10 million for 10 miles of canal zone • Agreed to pay$250,000 each year • In 1933 it was increased to $430,000 a year • In 1955 it was increased again to $1,930,000 a year • The canal opened in 1914

4. U.S. Motives and Justifications • Motives • The Panama Canal would be a new and faster trade route • The U.S. could make a profit from trading and other countries using the canal • Justifications • The U.S. said they were helping Panama free itself from Columbia • The Canal would also help Panama • Increase in trade • Help the economy

5. What was the reaction of the local population? • The Columbians were not happy because they no longer had control of Panama • The people were happy to be free from Columbia • They celebrated their victory • Panamanians were fine with the Americans having control of part of the canal at first • After a while the people wanted the U.S. out of Panama

6. The Final Result • September 7, 1977 – General Omar Torrijos Herrera and President Jimmy Carter signed multiple treaties • Gradually gave Panama control of the canal • Guaranteed the neutrality of the canal • Panama elected a new president 1984, Nicolas Ardito Barletta • There was a major conflict involving Barletta, a former CIA operative General Manuel Noriega, and a few other people • In December 1989 war was declared between the U.S. and Panama • The war ended in 1990 when Noriega surrendered • In 1999 the U.S. formally gave Panama control of the canal • During this time Columbians have been making regular attacks on Panamanian land • In 2006 Panama approved a plan to expand the canal, which will double its capacity • It will most likely be completed in 2014 - 2015

7. U.S. is a Mafia Don! • The U.S. was really interested in money and trade not the Panamanians • Roosevelt was sure the people of Panama were going to revolt • When they did revolt Roosevelt troops over on the U.S.S. Nashville to “maintain order” • These troops prevented the Columbian forces from suppressing the Panamanian rebellion • When the rebellion was over Roosevelt recognized that Panama was an independent nation • After helping the Panamanians win independence from Columbia the U.S. stayed in Panama • They finished building the canal • Still stayed in Panama • A few years later the Panamanians wanted to have control • Not the U.S. • The U.S. replaced Columbia’s presence in Panama

8. Were U.S. actions beneficial? • Columbia • No • Helped Panama gain independence • Panama • Yes • The U.S. helped Panama earn its freedom • America was responsible for the completion of the Panama Canal • Panama’s economy is mostly dependent on the Panama Canal • The U.S. eventually gave Panamanians complete control over Panama and the Panama Canal

9. Pictures