One of the greatest engineering achievements in history is the Panama Canal. It saves ships from making the difficult and dangerous trip around the southern tip of South America by connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. But it wasn’t easy to build this canal. The history of its construction is replete with setbacks, successes, and hardships. Who then made the initial move to construct this amazing waterway? What made the struggle so historic? Let’s examine each of the five main causes.

1. The Vision of a Shortcut

Constructing a canal across the Panamanian border was not a novel notion. For millennia, people had dreamed about it. The primary cause? For international trade, a bypass between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans might save time and money. Spanish explorers had already considered constructing a canal in the sixteenth century, but the concept didn’t receive much attention until the 19th century.

European countries, particularly the French, began considering the canal in the early 1800s as a means of enhancing trade routes. The concept seems ideal. Ships could traverse Panama’s small land bridge and reach the two oceans without taking a risky and lengthy trip across South America. This concept spurred the first significant moves toward the canal’s realization.

2. France Takes the First Step

France was the first nation to attempt the construction of the Panama Canal. Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French engineer who had successfully finished Egypt’s Suez Canal, was selected to oversee the project in 1881. He underestimated the difficulties posed by the temperature and geography, yet he thought the Panama Canal could be finished quickly.

In 1881, De Lesseps and his crew started the project, but they soon faced difficulties. The task was more difficult than they expected because of the challenging terrain, the dense rainforest, and the constant rains. Many of the laborers died as a result of contracting deadly illnesses including yellow fever and malaria. France persevered for nearly ten years despite these obstacles.

However, the project ended after nearly a decade. Despite spending millions of dollars, France has not yet finished the canal. The French gave up on the project in 1889, and the laborers went back to their homes. The defeat was devastating, and it appeared that the Panama Canal dream might never manifest.

3. The United States Steps In

The Panama Canal project appeared doomed after France’s defeat. However, the United States became interested in it in the early 1900s. The United States was gaining strength at the time and sought to expand its influence in international trade. Controlling a canal that linked two oceans was too attractive to pass up.

President Theodore Roosevelt decided to assume control of the project in 1902. Where France had failed, the United States had the technology and resources to win. They were also driven by economic and strategic considerations to construct the canal. It would help increase trade throughout the nation and give U.S. Navy ships a shortcut.

One significant problem, though, was that Panama was a part of Colombia. Without the Colombian government’s approval, the United States could not simply enter the country and begin building. Therefore, the United States needed to figure out how to take over the territory.

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4. Panama’s Independence and the Canal Treaty

Colombia’s refusal to allow the construction of the Panama Canal presented a significant challenge to the United States. The United States chose a different strategy since the Colombian government was unwilling to cede its territory.

The United States backed Panama in its attempt to secede from Colombia in 1903. Because of this backing, Panama declared its independence, and the United States recognized the new nation a few days later. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which was signed shortly after, provided the United States authority over the canal zone in return for financial compensation and guarantees of security.

This deal’s conclusion without the Panamanian people’s complete consent made it contentious. Nonetheless, it enabled the US to start building the Panama Canal in 1904.

5. The Struggles of Construction

The United States started the challenging task of constructing the canal after gaining control of the area. However, the difficulties were far from ended. The temperature, topography, and illnesses that had already caused the French a great deal of trouble were still there. Heavy rains, dangerous mudslides, and extreme heat were all challenges for the workers.

In addition to these difficulties, hundreds of laborers continued to die from illnesses like yellow fever and malaria. But doctors from the United States, under the direction of Dr. William Gorgas, assisted in slowing the spread of these illnesses. They sprayed pesticides, cleared fields, and improved living conditions for laborers. The number of fatalities gradually dropped, and the canal’s construction went on.

There were also several significant engineering achievements throughout the construction. To construct a river that could accommodate the biggest ships in the world, they had to dig through mountains and erect enormous locks. After years of arduous labor, the Panama Canal was eventually finished in 1914, almost ten years after it began construction.

Conclusion

The narrative of the Panama Canal is one of foresight, hardship, and success. France once attempted to construct it, but their attempts were unsuccessful because of geographical and disease-related obstacles. After that, the US came in, backed Panama’s independence, and eventually finished the canal. Despite the difficulties—dangerous illnesses, difficult terrain, and political obstacles—the canal was completed and permanently altered the course of history.

Because of the numerous challenges that had to be overcome in addition to the engineering needed, the Panama Canal was a historic achievement. It now serves as a tribute to the creativity and tenacity of those who made it a reality.