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CHAPTER 10
AMERICA CLAIMS
AN EMPIRE
TRADITIONAL UNITED STATES FOREIGN
POLICY WAS ISOLATIONIST
“It is our true policy
to steer clear of
permanent
alliances with any
portion of the
foreign world”
PRESIDENT GEORGE
WASHINGTON, 1796
FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS: GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1796 CAUTIONED THE
NATION TO STAY OUT OF WORLD (EUROPEAN) AFFAIRS AND NOT GET INVOLVED IN
THEIR WARS. IT WAS US FOREIGN POLICY TO AVOID THESE ENTANGLEMENTS
2
AFTER WW I. US POLICY.
Most of the 19th century was spent exploring and
settling the western frontier of the united states,
this changed the perception of American boundaries
MANIFEST DESTINY AS A DRIVING FORCE IN AMERICANS CONQUERING THE CONTINENT.
3
“Manifest destiny” extended beyond the
borders of the united states
4
DEFINITION OF IMPERIALISM
The policy of extending a nation's
authority by territorial acquisition or
by the establishment of economic
and political hegemony over other
nations.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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IMPERIALISM AND AMERICA
• Throughout the 19th century
America expanded control of
the continent to the Pacific
Ocean
• By 1880, many American
leaders felt the U.S. should
join European nations and
establish colonies overseas
• Thus began America’s foray
into Imperialism – the policy
in which stronger nations
extend control over weaker
nations
WHY IMPERIALISM?
• 1) Desire for Military
strength – Mahan
advised strong navy
• 2) Thirst for new
markets – to spur
economy & trade
• 3) Belief in Cultural
Superiority – a belief
that Anglo-Saxons
were superior
THE U.S. ACQUIRES
ALASKA
• In 1867, Secretary of State
William Steward arranged
for the United States to
buy Alaska from the
Russians for $7.2 million
• Some thought it was a silly
idea and called it
“Steward’s Icebox”
• Time has shown how
smart it was to buy Alaska
for 2 cents an acre
• Alaska is rich in timber,
minerals and oil
Missionaries from the U.S. went to Hawaii in the late
early 19th century
HAWAII, AMERICA BECAME INTERESTED IN
THE ISLANDS BEGINNING IN THE 1780'S,
MISSIONARIES BEGAN GOING TO THE ISLAND
AND U.S. BECAME MORE INVOLVED, the US
9
THE UNITED STATES EXERTS ITS INFLUENCE AND WARNS OTHER NATIONS
10
TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. WHO DO THE FIGURES
REPRESENT?
Queen Liliuokalani,
LAST QUEEN OF HAWAII
11
QUEEN LILIUOKALANI WAS FORCED TO ABDICATE HER THRONE
IN 1894 UNDER PROTEST.
SANFORD DOLE
Became president of the republic of Hawaii after the queen was
overthrown. Hawaii was annexed as part of the u.s. in 1898
12
U.S. TAKES HAWAII
• Hawaii had been
economically important to
Americans for centuries
• To avoid import taxes
(tariffs), sugar growers
pleaded for annexation
• The U.S. knew the value of
the Islands – they had
built a naval base at Pearl
Harbor in 1887
• Led by Sanford Dole,
American annexed Hawaii
in 1898 and it formally
became a state in 1959
Summary
• The United States joined European and
Asian countries in political and
economic competition for colonies. A
belief in Anglo-Saxon superiority
provided additional incentive for
imperialism. These factors led to
annexation of Hawaii
Section Questions
• How did European Imperialism affect
Africa? After seeing the actions of
Europe, how might the United States
react?
• Only two African nations remained
(Ethiopia and Liberia). The rest was
divided up amongst European nations. It
might prompt the USA to start expansion
and join the scramble for global territories.
Section Questions
• How did US economic prosperity lead it
to pursue a policy of imperialism?
• The USA produced more goods than
Americans needed. To keep business
growing, the nation had to gain foreign
markets.
Section Questions
• What were the three factors that
influenced American imperialism?
• Thirst for new markets
• Military strength
• Belief of Anglo-Saxon superiority
Section Questions
• Why do you think some people were
concerned that the United States did not
extend constitutional protections to its
territories?
• Because this suggested that US citizens
were superior to the residents of the
territory – an assertion inconsistent with
the values expressed in the consitution.
Section Questions
• What problems did the McKinley Tariff
cause for American sugar growers in
Hawaii?
• It forced them to compete with other
foreign growers and enabled US
growers to undersell them. As a result,
they faced economic ruin
Section Questions
• How did Cleveland and McKinley differ
in their views on annexing Hawaii?
• Cleveland believed that the majority of
Hawaiians needed to favor it and would
not use force. McKinley, doesn’t care
for Hawaiian favor, and has Congress
proclaim Hawaii an American territory.
Partner Questions
• What three factors spurred the new American
imperialism?
• Economic competition; political and military
competition; a belief in the racial and cultural
superiority of Anglo-Saxons
• How did Queen Liliuokalani’s goal conflict with
one of the American imperialists’ goals?
• She wanted to preserve Hawaii for Hawaiians,
while American imperialists sought to annex the
island chain
SECTION 2: THE SPANISH
AMERICAN WAR
• America had long held an
interest in Cuba
• When Cubans
unsuccessfully rebelled
against Spanish rule in
the late 19th century,
American sympathy went
out to the Cuban people
• After Spain abolished
slavery in Cuba in 1886,
Americans invested
millions in Cuban sugar
Cuba is just 90 miles south
of Florida
CUBA’S SECOND WAR FOR
INDEPENDENCE
Marti
• Anti-Spain sentiment
in Cuba soon erupted
into a second war for
independence
• Led by poet Jose
Marti, Cuba attempted
a revolution in 1895
• Marti deliberately
destroyed property,
including American
sugar plants, hoping
to provoke American
intervention
– “Cuba Libre!”
PULITZER
HEARST
CARTOON SHOWS THE TWO PUBLISHERS ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE
24
FOR THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR. WHAT ARE THE BLOCK
SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT?
YELLOW JOURNALISM
CARTOON
WHERE THE
TERM “YELLOW
JOURNALISM”
CAME FROM
IN 1898 NEWSPAPERS PROVIDED THE
PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION. PEOPLE
LACKED THE ABILITY TO VERIFY IF THE
STORIES WERE BIASED OR INACCURATE
AND THEREFORE RELIED UPON
NEWSPAPERS TO TELL THE TRUTH.
PULITZER AND HEARST TOOK ADVANTAGE
OF THE PUBLIC’S IGNORANCE BY
TWISTING THE TRUTH TO SELL MORE
NEWSPAPERS. SENSATIONALIZED STORIES
WERE FEATURED HEAVILY IN THEIR
NEWSPAPERS SINCE EXCITING HEADLINES
INCREASED CIRCULATION.
25
NEWSPAPERS FOCUSED ON SPANISH ATROCITIES
TOWARDS THE CUBAN PEOPLE TO IGNITE PASSIONS
AGAINST SPAIN
SPANISH GENERAL
WEYLER WAS SEEN AS A
“BUTCHER” IN THE US
FOR HIS TREATMENT OF
THE CUBAN PEOPLE
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The u.s. public was especially
sympathetic towards women in Cuba.
Hearst focused on a young woman,
known in the United States as
Evangelina Cisneros, who was
imprisoned in Havana. Petitions for
her freedom were signed by
prominent U.S. women and the pope,
and addressed to the Queen regent of
Spain. Evangelina managed to
escape with the help of correspondent
Karl Decker, who probably bribed her
guards. The story presented to the
public was that of a heroic "journalist
that acts."
27
WAR FEVER ESCALATES
• Newspaper publishers
William Randolph Hearst
(New York Journal) and
Joseph Pulitzer (New York
World) exaggerated
Spanish atrocities and
brutality in “Headline Wars”
• Yellow Journalism takes
over
– “You furnish the pictures and
I’ll furnish the war” – Hearst
• The De Lome Letter –
provokes USA
Political cartoon: Pulitzer (left)
and Hearst escalating and
instigating war between the
U.S. and Spain
ALL THAT WAS NEEDED TO START A WAR WAS A SPARK
AND THIS CAME ON FEBRUARY 15TH, 1898, IN HAVANA
HARBOR.
USS MAINE IN HAVANA, CUBA
HARBOR
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30
Yellow journalists were quick to blame the
Spanish
31
U.S.S MAINE EXPLODES
Before
After
• Early in 1898, President
McKinley ordered the
U.S.S. Maine to Cuba in
order to bring home
American citizens in
danger
• On February 15, 1898 the
ship blew up in the
harbor of Havana
• More than 260 men were
killed
• Hearst offers $50,000
reward
The Maine
Explodes
Unknown artist ,
1898
Notice the men
flying dramatically
through the air
What is the message of this cartoon?
34
WHAT DOES THIS CARTOON SUGGEST IS
THE SITUATION FOR THE CUBANS?
35
WAR ERUPTS WITH SPAIN
• War inevitable
• Spain agrees to all
demands on April 9th
• Public opinion forces
McKinley – April 20th
war with Spain
• Newspapers blamed the
Spanish for bombing
the U.S.S. Maine (recent
investigations have
shown it was a fire
inside the Maine)
• “Remember the Maine!”
became a rallying cry
for U.S. intervention in
Cuba
THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
• First battle of the war
• Feb. 1898 – Teddy sends Pacific
fleet to sail for Philippines in
case.
• U.S. forces surprised Spain by
attacking the Spanish colony of
the Philippines – led by George
Dewey
• 11,000 Americans joined forces
with Filipino rebel leader Emilo
Aguinaldo
• By August, 1898 Spain had
surrendered to the U.S. in Manila
US FORCES CONQUER THE PHILIPPINES
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US DESTROYS THE SPANISH FLEET AT MANILA BAY
39
ADMIRAL DEWEY, HERO OF THE NAVAL BATTLE OF
MANILA BAY
40
US OCCUPIES TWO MORE SPANISH COLONIAL
POSSESSIONS
41
THE WAR IN THE CARIBBEAN
• A naval blockade of Cuba
was followed by a land
invasion
– Shows unpreparedness of
US Army.
– Lack of supplies and training
• Despite this, examples like
Roosevelt’s Rough Rider
victory at San Juan Hill
• Next, the American Navy
destroyed the Spanish
fleet and paved the way for
an invasion of Puerto Rico
(Spanish colony)
BATTLE SCENE WITH TEDDY ROOSEVELT
ON THE HORSE
43
THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE “ROUGH
RIDERS” IN CUBA
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45
TREATY OF PARIS 1898
• The U.S. and Spain signed
an armistice on August 12,
1898, ending what
Secretary of State John
Hay called “a splendid little
war”
• The war lasted only 16
weeks
– Only 5400 Americans died
• 379 from battle
• Agreements from treaty:
– Cuba was now independent
– U.S. receives Guam, Puerto
Rico
– Pays Spain $20 million for
annexation of Philippines
Treaty of Paris, 1898
Controversy over Philippines
• McKinley believed in Christianizing “them”
,educate and uplift them
– UMMM…they had been Christian for centuries
• Some felt annexation violated the D.O.R. by
denying self-government
• Booker T. Washington argues that racerelated issues at home were more important
• Labor leaders were concerned about Filipino
immigrants would compete for American jobs.
THE US BECOMES AN IMPERIAL POWER
HAWAII: 1898
MIDWAY ISLAND: 1867
WAKE ISLAND: 1898
GUAM: 1898
JOHNSTON ISLAND: 1898
PALMYRA ISLAND: 1898
SAMOA ISLAND: 1899
PHILIPPINES: 1898
PUERTO RICO: 1898
What is happening in this cartoon?
49
REACTION TO US IMPERIALISM: ANTIIMPERIALIST MOVEMENT
50
What role does the U.S. play?
WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS CARTOON? IS THIS
51
52
WHO ARE THE TWO FIGURES STARING DOWN AT PRESIDENT
MCKINLEY? WHAT DO THEY REPRESENT?
“IS HE TO
BE A
DESPOT?”
53
Summary
• The Spanish-American War
demonstrated the superiority of the U.S.
naval forces and added Puerto Rico,
Guam, and the Philippines to America’s
empire
Section Questions
• Why did Jose Marti destroy Americanowned sugar mills and plantations in
Cuba?
• Marti hoped to provoke the United
States into intervening to help free Cuba
from Spain.
Section Questions
• How did Yellow Journalism distort
coverage of the Cuban revolt? Why did
Yellow Journalism become necessary
for reporters in Cuba during the war?
• Denied access to combat areas,
reporters created false and misleading
accounts, which they presented as true;
they exaggerated the brutality of the
fighting.
Section Questions
• What images do you think
the cartoonist wanted the
viewer to see in this
drawing?
• Answers will vary
• What was the cartoonist’s
view of U.S. involvement
in Cuba?
• The artist viewed it as a
powerful country’s attempt
to dominate a smaller
country
Section Questions
• What events increased the tensions
between the Unites States and Spain?
• Publication of the de Lome letter, and
the explosion of the USS Maine
Section Questions
• Why do you think US troops were so
poorly prepared for war?
• The poor training of the volunteer
soldiers and the lack of supplies
suggest that the army had not been well
funded since the Civil War, possibly
because the government had other
priorities and the navy had a stronger
advocate.
Section Questions
• What justifications were used by
Americans who favored annexing the
Philippines?
• Imperialists justified annexation as a
means to educate and civilize Filipinos.
Partner Questions
• Why was American opinion about Cuban
independence divided?
• US Businessmen sided with Spain because they
wanted to protect their investments. Other
Americans, however sympathized with the
Cuban demand for independence.
• Briefly describe the terms of the Treaty of Paris
of 1898.
• Cuba independence; Spain relinquishing of
Puerto Rico and Guam to USA; U.S. payment for
annexation of the Philippines
SECTION 3:
ACQUIRING NEW LANDS
• The U.S had to decide
how to rule the new
lands
– Puerto Rico wanted
their independence–
but the U.S. had other
plans
• Puerto Rico was
important to the U.S.
strategically
• The U.S. set up a civil
government, full
citizenship, and a
bicameral system
Puerto Rican and
Independence
• Some wanted to US
citizenship and full
local self-government.
Thought was they
would become a state,
end US military
presence immediately.
• Some felt that they
should be able to
chose between
statehood and full
independence.
Citizenship for Puerto Ricans
• Foraker Act -1900: denies
citizenship, allows
president to appoint
governor and members of
upper house.
• Insular Cases – 1901:
Supreme Court rules that
constitution does not
automatically apply to
people of acquired
territories
– Despite this Congress
extends citizenship in 1917
CUBA AND THE UNITED
STATES
• The Treaty of Paris granted
full independence to Cuba
– Teller Amendment stated US
had no interest in controlling
Cuba (Army governs 4 years)
• The U.S signed an agreement
with Cuba known as the Platt
Amendment 1903
– Key features of “Platt” included
the right of the U.S. to maintain
naval stations on the island and
the right to intervene in Cuban
affairs
• Cuba had become a
“protectorate” of the U.S.
– Country whose affairs are
partially controlled by a stronger
power
Today the U.S. has a
prison in Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba
FILIPINOS REBEL
• Filipinos reacted with rage
to the American annexation
• Rebel leader Emilio
Aguinaldo vowed to fight for
freedom and in 1899 he led a
rebellion
– 1899 Aguinaldo declares
independence and drafts a
constitution
– Armed revolt as last option
– Turns to guerilla tactics – US
resorts to Spanish style
practices
• African-American soldiers
deserted for Filipino side
U.S. troops fire on rebels
– Protest racism
– White soldiers harsh because
of skin color of Filipinos
Aftermath of the War
• Aguinaldo captured in 1901, rebellion
continues to 1902
• The 3-year war claimed 20,000 Filipino rebels,
4,000 American lives and $400,000,000 (20x
the price the U.S. paid for the land)
• Same style of government as Puerto Rico
– William Howard Taft serves as governor
• Starts to improve conditions
• Thomasites improve education
– 5000 in elementary to 1 million in 1920
– Become independent July 4, 1946
FOREIGN INTERVENTION IN CHINA TAKES
CENTER STAGE AT THE END OF THE 19TH
CENTURY
RUSSIA 18961898
BRITAIN
1898
GERMANY
1898
BRITAIN
1842
68
69
FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN CHINA
• China was a vast
potential market for
American products
– Weakened by war and
foreign intervention,
many European
countries had
colonized in China
– “sick man of Asia”
– US business worried
about being
squeezed out of
China by Japan and
Europeans
• Pressure US
government to take
action
Foreign
nations were
opening the
door to
China’s trade
The bear is Russia, the eagle is the U.S., the
lion is England, and the other animals represent
Italy, Japan, and France.
71
John Hay’s Open Door Notes
• 1889 – many European countries have spheres of
influence, or exclusive rights to much of China
• US only wants to protect rights to ports and to trade
with China
– Concern over loss of access through wars or takeovers
• In 1889, John Hay, U.S. Secretary of State, issued the
Open Door Policy which outlined his plan for free
trade among nations in China
– Calls for: open access to China’s coastal ports, the elimination of
special privileges for and of the trading nations, and
maintenance of China’s independence.
– Nations accept terms reluctantly
BOXER REBELLION
• European nations dominated
China’s cities
– Many Chinese grow to resent Western
Influence
– Want to drive out “foreign devils”
• Resentment arose in the form of
secret societies determined to
rid China of these “foreign
devils”
– The Boxer’s were a secret group that
rioted in 1900, killing and vandalizing all
things foreign
• Foreign Troops were called in to
put down this “Boxer Rebellion”
– Britain, France, Germany, and Japan join
2500 US troops.
– Stop rebellion in 2 months
BOXER REBELLION, 1900
THE CHINESE PEOPLE REACT TO IMPERIALISM
Boxer rebel
-BOXER REBELLION, REVOLT OF
BOXER SOLDIER
CHINESE AGAINST FOREIGNERS
IN CHINA IN 1900, U.S. AND OTHER
NATIONS SENT TROOPS TO PUT
THE REVOLT DOWN.
-Called “boxers” because most were
martial artists and Westerners did
74 not
know what to call them.
Boxer troops entered the foreign held Peking
(Beijing)
The Boxers did not want foreigners to control
China.
75
An international force retaliated and
seized control of Peking
Several western countries sent troops to China, such as
the U.S., Japan, Russia, Germany, Austria, France, and
Great Britain.
76
Who do all of the figures represent?
The figures represent U.S. Britain, Russia, Italy, Germany, and
France.
REPARATIONS, MONEY FOR WAR DAMAGES, WHAT WINNING NATIONS MAKE LOSING NATIONS PAY
FOR DAMAGES DURING THE WAR. CHINA WAS FORCED TO PAY REPARATIONS TO THE FOREIGN
77
INVADERS OF CHINA FOR DAMAGES THE BOXERS DID TO FOREIGNERS PROPERTY IN THE
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE.
AMERICANS PROTECT RIGHTS
IN ASIA
• US steps in to prevent imperial
powers from carving up China
– John Hay issues 2nd Open Door notes
– US would safeguard - Equal and
impartial trade with China
– These policies reflected American
beliefs in three things
• US economy depended on exports
• US has the right to intervene abroad to keep
foreign markets open
• US belief that the closing of an area to
American products, citizens, or ideas
threatened US survival.
• These ideas become the bedrock
of American foreign policy!!!!!!!!
Impact of Territorial Gains
• 1900 – McKinley reelected.
– Believes this shows support for imperialism
over William Jennings Bryan “Its not
necessary to own people to trade with them”
• Justifying Imperialism:
– Advancing the savages: world’s fair in 1904
features Filipino exhibit
– Capable of cultural advancement under
American influence
• Opposing Imperialism:
– Expense would outweigh benefits
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF IMPERIALISM
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Senator Alfred Beveridge (R-Indiana)
From a speech in Congress on January 9, 1900.
. . . [Just beyond the Philippines are China's illimitable markets. . . We
will not renounce our part in the mission of our race, trustee of
God, of the civilization of the world. . . Where shall we turn for
consumers of our surplus?. . . China is our natural customer. . .
[England, Germany and Russia] have moved nearer to China by
securing permanent bases on her borders. The Philippines gives
us a base at the door of all the East. . . They [the Filipinos] are a
barbarous race, modified by three centuries of contact with a
decadent race [the Spanish]. . . It is barely possible that 1,000
men in all the archipelago are capable of self-government in the
Anglo-Saxon sense. . . The Declaration [of Independence] applies
only to people capable of self-government. How dare any man
prostitute this expression of the very elect of self-government
peoples to a race of Malay children of barbarism, schooled in
Spanish methods and ideas? And you, who say the Declaration
applies to all men, how dare you deny its application to the
American Indian? And if you deny it to the Indian at home, how
dare you grant it to the Malay abroad.
80
Arguments against imperialism in the Philippines
“…we do not intend to free,
but to subjugate the people
of the Philippines. We have
gone there to conquer, not
to redeem.”
Mark Twain, 1900
“In the forcible annexation of the
Philippines our Nation neither adds
to its strength nor secures broader
opportunities for the American
people.”
William Jennings Bryan,
1899
81
WHO ARE THE LAND GRABBERS? WHY DO YOU THINK UNCLE SAM IS
TRYING TO STOP THEM?
OPEN DOOR POLICY, ALL NATIONS WOULD HAVE EQUAL
TRADING RIGHTS IN CHINA, SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN
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HAY PROPOSED THIS IN 1899-1900
OPEN DOOR POLICY: What
is going on in this cartoon?
OPEN DOOR POLICY, ALL NATIONS WOULD HAVE EQUAL
TRADING RIGHTS IN CHINA, SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN HAY83
PROPOSED THIS IN 1899-1900
Anti-imperialist cartoon: WHO IS AT THE FAR LEFT?
WHAT IS
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CARTOON?
“TAKING OUR PLACE AMONG THE
NATIONS”
TO CRITICIZE THE US FOR JOINING THE OTHER
IMPERIALIST NATIONS TAKING UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF
A WEAK CHINA.
84
Section Summary
• U.S. involvement in Puerto Rico, Cuba,
the Philippines, and China spread
American political and economic
influence around the world. While the
United States endorsed American
imperialism, many Americans opposed
it.
Section Questions
• How did the Foraker Act benefit the
United States?
• It allowed the president to appoint
Puerto Rico’s governor and part of its
legislature, thus enabling the United
States to maintain control.
Section Questions
• How did the United States maintain
political control over Cuba?
• The United States refused to withdraw
troops until Cuba agreed to the Platt
Amendment, which gave the United
States control over Cuba’s affairs.
Section Questions
• Who is the waiter
taking Uncle Sam’s
order? What seems
to be Uncle Sam’s
attitude toward the
offerings on the
menu?
• Waiter is McKinley.
• Uncle Sam seems
smug, as if all menu
items are his for the
taking.
“Well I hardly know which to take first”
Section Questions
• Regarding their struggle for
independence: What were the aims of
the Filipino’s? Of the Americans?
• Filipinos wanted independence. The
United States wanted to take over the
role that Spain had played in governing
the Philippines.
Section Questions
• Why did John Hay propose an Open
Door policy in China?
• To protect American access to Chinese
markets and to help the Chinese
maintain their independence.
Partner Questions
• Why was the United States interested in events in Puerto
Rico?
• Puerto Rico was strategically important to the US as a way
to assert its presence in the Caribbean and as a base for
protecting a possible canal in Panama.
• What sparked the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, and how was it
crushed?
• The Boxers staged a military campaign to expel foreigners.
In retaliation, several nations joined forces to crush the
rebellion
• What three key beliefs about America’s industrial capitalist
economy were reflected in the Open Door policy?
• US economy’s dependence on exports to ensure growth;
US rights to intervene abroad to keep foreign markets
open; closing an area to American products threatened US
survival.
SECTION 4: AMERICA AS A
WORLD POWER
The Nobel
Peace Prize
is awarded
annually
• Two events signaled
America’s continued climb
toward being the #1 world
power
• 1) Roosevelt negotiated a
settlement between Russia
and Japan who had been at
War – his successful efforts
in negotiating the Treaty of
Portsmouth won Roosevelt
the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize
• 2) Construction of Panama
Canal
THE PANAMA CANAL
• By the early 20th century,
many Americans
understood the
advantages of a canal
through Panama
• It would greatly reduce
travel times for
commercial and military
ships by providing a
short cut between the
Atlantic and Pacific
oceans
“The shortcut”
BUILDING THE PANAMA
CANAL 1904-1914
Cost- $380 million
Workers– Over 40,000 (5,600 died)
Time – Construction took 10 years
• The French had
already
unsuccessfully
attempted to build a
canal through Panama
• America first had to
help Panama win their
independence from
Colombia – which it
did
• Construction of the
Canal stands as one
of the greatest
engineering feats of
all-time
This view, provided by NASA, shows the thin blue line
(canal) cutting across the middle of Panama
Almost 1,000,000 ships have passed through the canal,
which became sole property of Panama in the year 2000