Building+of+Panama+Canal

= The Panama Canal =

One of the Greatest Accomplishments in History
= What is the Panama Canal? =
 * The Panama Canal is a ship canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
 * Today, about 5% of the world's water shipping passes through the canal.

= How does the Panama Canal work? =
 * The Locks of the Canal raise ships up 85ft to the level of the canal. They are probably the most impressive part of building the Canal.
 * The Ship passes through the Gaillard Cut which is an artificial waterway that the United States made.
 * Here is a short video to show how the Canal works : [|Panama Canal Timelapse]

= Who decided to build the Canal? = = Why was the Canal built? = = Building the Canal: =
 * In 1850, The United States and Great Britain signed the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty which was an agreement to work together to build an Atlantic-Pacific canal. After that, the United-States' interest in the canal grew.
 * In 1879, Count Ferdinand de Lesseps and his workers started to make a canal but they could not conquer the disease and the climate conditions of the Panama area.
 * Good for the economy - Ships pay a toll when they pass through the canal. They keep the toll low to encourage use of the waterway.
 * Trade and military advantage - Ships can pass through the middle of the Americas instead of going all the way around. Transportation of military equipment and trade is quicker and easier.
 * It was [|Theodore Roosevelt's] dream to build a canal linking the oceans because it would make trade with Asia easier, quicker, and cheaper.
 * More job opportunities.

How was the United States allowed to build a canal in another country?

 * In 1903, John Hay discussed a treaty with Colombia, South America so that the United States could use a strip of land in Panama called the "Canal Zone". The Colombian Senate asked for $25 million dollars and the United States refused to pay that much. Colombia would not pay any less so they didn't pass the treaty.
 * The Panamanians were angry at Colombia for refusing to pass the treaty because a canal would help their economy. They planned to rebel against Colombia and they got the United States to help them. The United States sent a gunboat to Colombia. The Colombians tried to stop the rebels but they could not. Colombia then signed the treaty for less money.

Canal Workers:

 * About 45,000 workers worked on the Canal.
 * Conditions for working on the Canal were pretty bad. It was really hot and humid. Panama had many sudden rain storms so the workers faced the dangers of sudden flooding and landslides. There were also lots of diseases and mosquitos. The United States soon started facing the same problems that the French faced.
 * When Panamanians applied for jobs at the Canal, they found that they were not wanted. The United States had hired United States citizens, Europeans, and Black laborers who were shipped from the Caribbean Islands. The Panamanians were told that they were too small for the work.

The Finished Canal:

 * The Canal was finished in 1914.
 * In the first year the Canal was opened, vessels went through carrying 5 million tons.

= How did the Panamanians react to the Canal? =

Reasons for the good reaction:

 * Another work option. Between 10,000 and 13,000 workers were employed. During The Great Depression it provided some workers with jobs.
 * The United States payed Panama $10 million after the Canal was built.

Reasons for the angry reaction:
= Who was in charge of the Canal? = = How does the Panama Canal work? = = The Canal Today =
 * The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was unfair. It favored the United States and Panamanians thought the United States would destroy their country.
 * The Canal Zone was too big and it cut through the heart of Panama.
 * The United States had full control over the Canal.
 * The United States gave themselves permission to stop any local problems in Panama if they might affect the Canal.
 * The United States could take land outside of the Canal Zone in times of War.
 * The United States was in charge of the Canal for a long time. Colombia signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty gave the United States complete control over the Canal.
 * The Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty was abolished because it was considered unfair that the United-States got all the control. A new pact was put into effect and it declared that The United States and Panama would share control over the Canal. This made a lot of Panamanians angry. They thought that the United States was being selfish by still wanting part of the canal.
 * The Torijos-Carter Treaty was put into effect soon after the 2nd pact was abolished. This new treaty said that on the last day of 1999, Panama would take full control over the Canal.
 * A.C.P. - The A.C.P. (Panama Canal Authority) was established at noon on December 31, 1999. Panama assumed full responsibility of the Canal.
 * The Locks of the Canal raise ships up 85ft to the level of the canal. They are probably the most impressive part of building the Canal.
 * The Ship passes through the Gaillard Cut which is an artificial waterway that the United States made.
 * Here is a short video to show how the Canal works: [|Panama Canal Timelapse]
 * Today, many ships use the Canal. The United States uses it the most but Japan uses it too. America's trade with South America uses the Canal.

Canal Expansion Project

 * The expansion plan was revealed on April 24th, 2006. It was voted into action on October 22nd, 2006.
 * The plan is to expand the Canal so that it has a third lane.
 * Hopefully, by 2014, the Canal capacity will have doubled.