US & Panama

[HugoP]

A friend states that after France failed to build the Panama Canal, the US invaded Panama, killed a military leader, declared Panama an independent country(independent from Colombia) and built the Panama Canal withour one Panamanian Signiture. Is this true?

Hugo

[Octavius]

Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was in charge of the construction of the Suez Canal, was initially called upon to build the new canal at Panama and construction began on January 1, 1880.

However, floods, mudslides, and high mortality rates from malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases eventually forced the French to abandon the project.

President Theodore Roosevelt of the United States was confident that the United States could complete the project, and recognized that US control of the passage from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans would be militarily and economically important. Panama was then part of Colombia so Roosevelt proceeded to negotiate with the Colombians to obtain the necessary permission. In early 1903 the Hay-Herran Treaty was signed by both nations, but the Colombian Senate failed to ratify the treaty. In a controversial move, Roosevelt implied to Panamanian rebels that if they revolted, the U.S. Navy would assist their cause for independence. Panama proceeded to proclaim its independence on November 3, 1903, and the USS Nashville in local waters impeded any interference from Colombia.

When fighting began Roosevelt ordered US battleships stationed off of Panama's coast for "training exercises". Many argue that fear of a war with the United States caused the Colombians to avoid any serious opposition to the revolution. The victorious Panamanians returned the favor to Roosevelt by allowing the United States control of the Panama Canal Zone on February 23, 1904 for US$10 million (as provided in the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, signed on November 18, 1903)

[rampart]

Hmmm... well, could be, but according to history, it was signed by U.S. Secretary of State John Hay and Colombian foreign minister Tom�s Herr�n on Jan. 22, 1903.

As I understand it, a couple of French companies (not the French government) worked on the canal beginning in 1881, but the project went bankrupt after a few years. An American company took over in 1904. The Canal opened in 1914.

More:

http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_067200_panamacanal.htm

http://www.ared.com/history.htm

[rampart]

Octavius - I was writing my answer at the precise time you wrote yours - I did not see what you wrote when I wrote and posted mine. So the "well, could be" refers to the question, not your answer, which is quite thorough.

[Octavius]

rampart - Wikipedia, the font of all knowledge!

[Octavius]

In addition to the above, the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty is also called "The Treaty No Panamanian Signed," though they later agreed to the terms (under pressure from the US government).

Philipe Bunau-Varilla was a Frenchman involved in the building of the canal under Ferdinand de Lesseps. Hay was the Secretary of State John Hay.

[Gilli]

Not answering the question directly I know (that's already been done anyhow!) but the BBC series "7 Wonders of the Industrial World" featured the Panama Canal as one of its wonders. These are sometimes repeated on UK Documentary or History channels and well worth looking out for as they bring history to life via actors playing the characters involved - e.g. de Lesseps et al.