Panama Canal Construction

Theodore Roosevelt insisted displaying American power to the world, so that would make other nations think twice about fighting and also think about peace.  One of his sayings was “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Roosevelt and many others thought having a canal through Central America was vital to American power in the world. In the 1850’s, the United States and Great Britain agreed to not build a canal without others participation. In 1901, the U.S and Great Britain signed the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, which basically gave the U.S permission to build a canal through Central America.

                The United States already two places where they could build a canal. One of the places was Nicaragua and the other going through Panama. In 1903 Panama was Colombia’s most Northern Province. Secretary of State Hay offered Colombia $10 million and a yearly rent of $250,000 for the right to construct the canal and to look around a narrow strip of land on either side. The Colombian government refused the offer because the price was too low and they were afraid of losing control of Panama.