The Canal was built, with much patriotic support, to ultimately connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This would lend a hand to more extensive trade routes, easier travel (the original trip would be around the dangerous Cape Horn), and hopefully economic prosperity. The leader of the project would be Ferdinand de Lesseps, builder of the Suez Canal. The estimate was that the building project would take 12 years to complete and cost $132 million dollars. The French helped building efforts by providing modern equipment (i.e. steam shovels, locomotives) for digging. The most common problem workers faces was disease, specifically malaria and yellow fever. Despite storms, disease, death, and harsh conditions the French continued to dig. In December, 1888 Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interocéanique flailed, causing many French investors to loose their money. The canal would be left unfinished, and later, Theodore Roosevelt took up the project.
In 1902, the US bought rights to the canal from France. The battle for Panama (when the US urged Panama to revolt against Colombia) occurred and Panama gained independence. US leased space for the Canal from Panama and the building project continued. In the first year, the Americans faced many of the same problems the French did. Finally, John Stevens introduced his new plan of clearing instead of digging. This proved successful. Dr. William Gorgas helped to eradicate yellow fever from Havana through plumbing and pesticides and sanitization of marshes, homes, etc. Engineering improved, too. Following the new concept of the "lake and lock", "boats would cross the lake, then descend by another set of locks to the Pacific." Steam shovels and railroad cars aided in the increasing efficiency of the building.
The Canals official opening day was August 15, 1914. The world barely noticed due to WWI, which overshadowed the entire project.
Works Cited:
"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014.
Hey Caroline! Thanks for posting this! Your explanation helped a lot, but I am still a little lost as to how it works. (I don't know about you, but sometimes I find it helps to understand how stuff works to actually remember the facts. And I think it's find of cool.) This video explains the Panama Locks that you mentioned. It also gives some background on the Canal. It's just under 3 minutes, so it won't take too long to watch if anybody is interested. :)
ReplyDeleteHope this helps too,
http://www.history.com/videos/panama-canal-locks#panama-canal-locks
The video was quite interesting, thanks for adding that, Julia!
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