Download Panama Canal - Madison Public Schools

How did the Spanish-American War
help the United States become a
world power?
Which of the following events triggered the
war between the United States and Spain?
A. The explosion of the Maine
B. The tour of the
“Great White Fleet”
0%
D
0%
C
B
A
A. A
B. B
C. A surprise Spanish
0%
0%
attack on Florida
C. C
D. D
D. A Cuban attack on the United States
#1 Situation in Cuba
• Cuba was a Spanish colony
• Cuban Revolution-1895
• In response, Spain sent General Weyler to put
down the rebellion
 New governor of Cuba
 Used brutal tactics
 Placed Cubans in detention camps
 100,000 died
#2 “A Splendid Little War” (cont.)
• The revolution in Cuba as described through
yellow journalism tactics caused great
concern in the United States.
• American newspapers blamed Spain when
the Maine exploded, which triggered the
Spanish-American war.
The Spanish-American War
#3 USS Maine
• (#3) President McKinley sent the warship Maine
to Havana to protect American citizens and
property.
• US battleship sent to Havana to protect
Americans
– Exploded on February 25, 1898-Cause of explosion
remains a mystery
– Blame was placed on Spain
– 266 Americans died
– “Remember the Maine” becomes the battle cry
• America declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898ends August 12, 1898
(#2) “A Splendid Little War”
• Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders
to victory in the Battle of San Juan Hill.
• Shortly afterwards, the Spanish signed an
armistice and the war ended.
• Secretary of State John Hay called the
Spanish-American War “a splendid little
war.”
The Spanish-American War
Acquisitions
The American empire became a
reality after the Spanish-American
War.
Acquisitions
• The United States and Spain signed the
Treaty of Paris, ending the war. Under the
terms of the treaty:
– Cuba became an American protectorate.
– Puerto Rico and Guam became territories
of the United States.
– Spain surrendered the Philippines to the
United States for $20 million.
Acquisitions
• Cuba was granted full independence on the
condition that their constitution gave the
United States certain rights, known as the
Platt Amendment.
• The Jones Act in 1917 made Puerto Rico a
territory of the United States and granted
American citizenship to all Puerto Ricans.
Puerto Rico
• Today it is a U.S. territory known as a
Commonwealth
• P.R. is in charge of its own internal affairs
• the U.S. controls interstate trade, foreign
relations, control of land, air, and sea, currency,
citizenship, etc.
• They send one member to the House of
Representatives, however he/she cannot vote
• They have a vote from time to time about
whether they want to become an independent
nation or to become a U.S. state
Acquisition of the Philippines
• The acquisition of the Philippines caused
fierce debate among American citizens.
– Some argued that American rule of the
Philippines went against the democratic
principles on which the United States was
founded.
– Others felt the Philippines would provide
the United States with an important Pacific
naval base.
Acquisitions
• The Filipino people were led to believe they
would be able to be an independent nation.
• They were angered that the US, who helped
them in their fight for independence,
purchased the Philippines from Spain.
• At least 200,000 Filipino’s died in fighting
against US rule. More than 4,000 US
soldiers died in the fighting.
Panama Canal
What is a canal?
An area of water that is dug across land.
Canals connect bodies of water so that
ships can travel between them.
1) Why was the canal built?
- Roosevelt wanted it built so he could
move the navy quickly between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- It would lower shipping costs increasing
business profits
2) Why was it built in Panama?
It was built in Panama because it is the narrowest
strip of land in Central America.
Panama is an isthmus. An isthmus is a narrow
strip of land which has water on each side and
connects two larger bodies of land.
Courtesy of: http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/maps/pm-map.jpg
When was it built?
• 1904 The United States begins working on
the Canal
• 1914 The canal is completed
Background Information
1835 France is given a permit to build a
canal across Panama. However first
they have to come up with a plan to
build the canal. In 1881 they finally start
building.
• 1881 A French company begins
construction on the canal. After eight
years France gives up on the project.
• Over 20,000 construction workers
died working on the project for France
and the company trying to build the
canal goes bankrupt.
The United States
3) How did get the land to build the Canal?
• US offers Colombia $10 million dollars for the land.
• Colombia refused the offer believing that the US was
trying to bully them for the land.
• The people of Panama wanted to be independent.
• Roosevelt sent a warship to Panama to support the
Panamanians by not allowing Colombian ships to
enter the harbor. A revolution started.
• With the ship preventing the Colombian soldiers from
reaching Panama, the Panamanians won.
• Panama agrees to sell us a 10 mile wide strip of land
to build the canal.
What Problems did the US have building
the canal?
Just like when the
French had tried to
build the canal, the
builders of the canal
had to figure out how
to cut a 51 mile path
through a tropical
jungle and an area of
mountains!
What Problems did the US have building
the canal?
Working Conditions
Imagine working on the Panama Canal.
By noon the temperature is about 100
degrees. It’s humid-so humid that after
it rains steam rises from the ground and
your clothes become soaking wet.
There is no shade, no air-conditioning,
and no place to get cool.
What Problems did the US have building
the canal?
Working Conditions
The average yearly rainfall is about 80
inches. Flooding makes the ground
like pudding, and you can sink up to
your knees in mud. Tropical diseases,
such as yellow fever and malaria are
spread easily by mosquitoes.
What Problems did the US have building
the canal?
Working Conditions
A tropical jungle may be a fascinating
place for scientists to work, but for
workers trying to build a canal it’s a
nightmare. Imagine trying to dig out
tons of dirt in a jungle like this. And
there was no insect repellent to keep
the bugs from biting.
4) What Problems did the US have building
the canal?
• Hot humid temperatures
• Diseases such as malaria
• Dangerous working conditions when using
dynamite to cut through mountains
• Developing a system to raise and lower
ships
#6 A lock is a part of a canal with gates
at each end where boats are raised or
lowered to different water levels.
Here are the giant locks
Courtesy of: http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto026.htm
Here are the giant locks being built
Photo from the Canal Zone Brats www.czbrats.com
Here are the giant locks being built
Photos Courtesy of
www.panamacanal.com
Image Courtesy of: http://www.panamacanal-cruises.com/panama-canal-pictures/crosssections.jpg
The building of the canal
Photo courtesy of:
The building of the canal
Photo courtesy of:
www.canalmuseum.com
1914 The Canal Opens
Image Courtesy of:
http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto042.htm
The Panama Canal Today
Today the canal is a busy place. Ships get
stuck in traffic jams because there are so
many of them and often have to wait up to 20
hours to go through the canal. Then the trip
through the canal takes another eight hours.
The Panama Canal is an important
landmark and is considered by some to
be the 8th Wonder of the World.
Photo from the Canal Zone Brats www.czbrats.com
The United States
• 1977 The United States signs a treaty
with Panama and agrees to give
Panama control of the canal in 1999