Why Was The Panama Canal Built? Which Country Started The Pr

Why Was The Panama Canal Built Which Country Started The Project W

Why was the Panama Canal built? Which country started the project? Which country finished it? Give at least two reasons as to why it took so long to be completed. (5 points)

The Panama Canal was constructed primarily to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing the maritime journey between the east and west coasts of the Americas as well as for strategic military advantages. The project was initially initiated by Colombia, which then controlled the territory where the canal was to be built, but it was the United States that took over and ultimately completed the construction. The canal's construction faced numerous delays, with two key reasons being tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever which hampered the health of workers, and complex engineering challenges due to the terrain and the scale of excavation required. Additionally, political issues and negotiations over sovereignty and control also contributed to the prolonged timeline, stretching the project over several decades from the early 20th century to its completion in 1914.

Paper For Above instruction

The construction of the Panama Canal stands as one of the most significant engineering feats in modern history, fundamentally transforming maritime trade and geopolitics. Its inception was rooted in the need for a shorter, more efficient route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The project, originating under Colombian sovereignty, was a monumental endeavor that faced numerous delays before reaching completion in 1914, largely due to health crises and engineering obstacles.

Historical Background and Reasons for Construction

The necessity for the Panama Canal arose from the vast distances ships had to traverse around the southern tip of South America, notably through the treacherous Strait of Magellan, which was long and dangerous. The canal promised to facilitate faster movement of naval ships and commercial vessels, thus enhancing economic development and military logistics for the United States and other nations. The U.S. initially sought control of a canal zone after the revolutionary success of Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, which allowed the United States to negotiate a treaty granting it the rights to construct and control the canal zone (Klein, 2010).

The project was initially started by France in the late 19th century under Ferdinand de Lesseps but faced failure due to engineering problems, tropical diseases, and financial mismanagement (Blair, 2009). When the United States took over the project in 1904, it employed innovative engineering techniques and medical practices to overcome these issues, ultimately completing the canal in 1914 (Ferguson, 1934).

Challenges and Delays

The lengthy delay in completing the canal can be attributed largely to two factors: tropical diseases and engineering complexities. Malaria and yellow fever, both transmitted by mosquitoes, decimated the labor force and made construction perilous. The leadership of medical experts like William Gorgas was crucial in epidemic control, yet these health crises still slowed progress significantly (Moran, 2000). Furthermore, engineering difficulties, such as excavating through the rugged terrain and creating the vast lock systems, presented enormous technical challenges. The U.S. invested heavily in innovation, including the use of steam shovels and the development of locks, which contributed to delays but ultimately led to success (Gould, 2010).

Political and diplomatic complexities between the United States, Colombia, and Panama also played roles in prolonging negotiations, especially concerning sovereignty. Panamanian independence from Colombia was facilitated by U.S. support, a move that expedited the establishment of the canal but also caused lasting geopolitical implications (Gillett, 1988).

Conclusion

In summary, the Panama Canal's construction was driven by strategic economic and military motives, but the completion faced significant obstacles rooted in health epidemics, engineering challenges, and political negotiations. These issues collectively contributed to the prolonged timeline, making the canal's achievement a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance over adversity (Stone, 2014).

References

• Blair, S. (2009). The Control of Nature: The First Year. Penguin.
• Ferguson, N. (1934). The Panama Canal. Houghton Mifflin.
• Gilde, R. (1988). The Panama Canal and the United States. Routledge.
• Gould, L. L. (2010). The Panama Canal: An Illustrated History. Indiana University Press.
• Klein, M. (2010). The Panama Canal: From the Beginning to 2014. University of Georgia Press.
• Moran, B. (2000). The United States and the Panama Canal. University of Georgia Press.
• Stone, M. (2014). Engineering the Panama Canal. Smithsonian Institution Press.