Panama Canal Construction

                Theodore Roosevelt insisted that displaying American power to the world, so the other nations would make other nations think twice about fighting and to 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 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.