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The Panama Canal allows ships to travel the 50-mile Isthmus of Panama, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, saving thousands of miles off the trip around the tip of South America. The canal is comprised of the large man-made Gatun Lake connected by dredged channels. Three locks are located at each end that raise ships 54 feet to the lake level and then lower them back down to sea level.
Two new treaties were signed in 1977 under the Carter administration. The treaties recognize Panama’s ownership of the canal and Canal Zone. Full control will be returned to Panama at noon on December 31, 1999.
Both the Europeans and later the Americans dreamed of building a ship canal. The Industrial Revolution brought the means to do so. The French were the first to attempt the project under Ferdinand de Lesseps, the engineer who oversaw the construction of the Suez Canal. Excavation began in 1882. By 1888 the project failed due to difficult terrain, climate, tropical disease, labor shortage and lack of funds.
Check out the website of the Panama Canal Commission. It's excellent! |
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Introduction
The canal was built by the United States from 1904 to 1914 at a
cost of $350 million. Under a 1903 treaty, the US controlled the waterway as well as a
five-mile buffer zone on each side of the waterway known as the Panama Canal Zone.
Panamanians resented US control. Riots ensued in the 1950s and 60s. Twenty Panamanians
were killed in 1964 and the two countries temporarily suspended diplomatic relations.
Treaties
The Panama Canal Commission, a US government agency, was
established in 1979 to manage the canal during the 20-year transition period. The Canal
Zone was opened to all Panamanians. A large Panamanian flag flies proudly at the top of
Ancon Hill in the former zone area and is visible throughout Panama City. Since 1990 the
canal’s administrator has been a Panamanian. Today 95% of Panama Canal’s
workforce is Panamanian. The treaties ensure that the canal will remain an international
waterway and Panama and the US will share its defense.
History
The United States first canal project was
in Nicaragua, but was short-lived. In 1902 agreement was reached between Roosevelt and the
Colombian president that gave the US a strip of land across the isthmus. Colombia’s
senate rejected the treaty. Panamanians—still a part of Colombia at that
time—feared that the US would choose a Nicaraguan route, rebelled against Colombian
rule and declared Panama independent on November 3, 1903. The US supported the revolt,
preventing Colombia from defeating the rebels. Two weeks later Panama signed a treaty with
the US giving permission for the canal project. The treaty provided for a perpetual lease
on a 10-mile wide zone, more if needed, to build the canal, and the right to use troops.
In exchange for their independence from Colombia, Panamanians were forced to accept the
treaty, which no Panamanian ever signed. 