End of Spanish American War 1898: The United States are able to acquire the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and annex Hawaii. At this time, Theodore Roosevelt’s position was Secretary of the Navy. Along with their new acquired territories, Roosevelt persisted that the United States Navy needed easy access to the Atlantic and Pacific. The idea of building a canal through Central America comes to surface.
Assassination of President William McKinley 1901: On September 14th,1901, President William McKinley is assassinated and Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th president of the United States. The United States poses the idea of building a canal through Central America to Great Britain. Great Britain supports this construction and see it as an opportunity to extend trading and traveling. The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty is created and signed on November 18th 1901, allowing the United States to build a canal through Central America.
Approval of Panama Canal 1902: The idea of constructing a canal through Panama is presented to the United States Senate for approval. Once approved by the Senate, the government begins handling the financial details and responsibilities that come with building this canal. On June 28th 1902, the United States formed the Spooner Act. The Spooner Act authorized the United States to purchase the land needed from Panama in order to build the canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
Conflicts with Surrounding Countries 1903: Countries surrounding the desired construction area were not pleased with the construction of the canal. The United States had to compromise with Colombia, repositioning the Hay-Herran Treaty. With the adjustment, Colombia was now promised 10 million and $250,000 annually for a six mile zone. To much surprise, Panama citizens decide to rebel against Colombia to gain their independence. After gaining their independence, Roosevelt is thrilled and recognizes the new Republic. Roosevelt is content because he knows this will secure the construction of the canal and make his execution easier.
Progression 1904: In 1904, Panama adopts the U.S. dollar as its currency. The United States makes a deal with Panama and acquires the wanted Panama Canal Zone for 10 million dollars. The French had previously attempted to build a canal within the same area but failed. Therefore, the United States offered the French 40 million dollars to purchase any supplies, workers, and equipment that can be used.
Turmoil 1904: Construction on the Panama Canal begins. Theodore Roosevelt appoints John Findley Wallace as head engineer. The conditions of the canal zone is not as expected. The area is overgrown and remaining equipment from the French is barely usable. Wallace is mainly concerned with the living and sanitary conditions. Housing, sewage systems, and roads are very scarce. Dozens of workers and civilians are dying from malaria an yellow fever. These conditions scare off Wallace and he resigns from his position as head engineer.
New Beginnings 1905: Theodore Roosevelt is able to replace Wallace with a new engineer, John F. Stevens. Stevens arrives to Panama and decides to prioritize living conditions. In on year, Stevens has 1250 housing institutions built to guarantee his workers are safe and healthy to execute the canal to the very end. Stevens hires William Crawford Gorgas as Chief of Sanitization. Gorgas is hired to handle the Yellow Fever dilemma, in one year he realizes the origin of the disease and gains control of it.
Theodore Roosevelt’s First Visit 1906: President Theodore Roosevelt plans a 17 day trip to canal site. Roosevelt decides to do this so he can physically see the area and the progress that has been made on the construction of the canal. President Theodore Roosevelt makes history by becoming the first United States president to make an official visit outside of the United States.
The Final Stretch 1907-1913: A new engineer is appointed by the name of George Washington Goethals. Goethals sees the construction of the canal to the very end and is appointed as the first governor of the Canal. The crew begins work on Gatun Dam. This Dam will be the canal’s main water supply ensuring water is always flowing through. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson fires an explosion created an entry way for Atlantic and Pacific waters to finally merge.
Up and Running 1914: On August 15th, 1914, the canal is finally complete and ready for travel. SS Ancon becomes the first boat to travel through the canal. The Panama Canal becomes one of the United State’s biggest accomplishments and construction projects to date. Throughout history, this canal will be internationally used making trade and travel more efficient for all.
“Building the Panama Canal 1899-1913 .” U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian , history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/panama-canal.
“The American Era: Construction Period.” Panama Canal Museum > Timeline > Americaneraconstruction, Panama Canal Museum , cms.uflib.ufl.edu/pcm/timeline/americaneraconstruction.aspx.
“The Spooner Act and the Making of a World Naval Power.” Roosevelt Institution for American Studies , Roosevelt Institution for American Studies , 31 July 2019, www.roosevelt.nl/spooner-act-and-making-world-naval-power.