Who declared the Construction of the Panama Canal?

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â„¢Â®Â©andrew

Although the concept of a canal in Panama dates back to the early 16th century, the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership. After this attempt collapsed, the work was finally completed by the United States, and the canal opened in 1914. The building of the 77 kilometre (48 mi) canal was plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides. As many as 27,500 workers are estimated to have died during construction of the canal.

Jim R

There was no Panama at the time, It was part of Columbia. It was originated by the French.

SmartGirl

United States then gave it up after a bout 8 years to Panama.
Git it by helping Panama win the war.

delfinazul23

That is a tricky subject but I can say with authority that...

There was no president of Panama as such because at the time Panama was part of the now defunct "Great Colombia" which was a federation of what is now Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and I think Peru as well.

The French failed miserably at the job due to miscalculation. They were the same ones that built the Suez Canal in Egypt which is totally different.

Then there was political intrigue, the french headed by Mr. Buneau wanted to seel their stakes of the failed canal to the US. They arranged for the US to support Panama breaking off the Great Colombia and this happened without bloodshed (except for a poor bystander mule).

Now, there it was a newly formed country with no experience whatsoever. Mr. Amador Guerrero was made president of the new republic but the negotiations were actually in hands of the French with the US and the inexperienced Panamanian politicians were merely a puppet.

When the Panamanian committee arrived to the US to examine the treaty before signing, they where shocked to see that the French guys had already signed it (!!!) granting the US *perennial* control of the Panama canal area. The Panamanian committee as inexperienced as they were would have never agreed to such unreasonable clausule.

Nevertheless history took its course and it has been beneficial for all parties, except the Colombia from nowadays and the areas polluted with unexploded ammunition that the US refused to clean before handing over control to Panama in 1999.

roy_glen2003

The best web site I can find is: www.shipsonstamps.org/topics/panama.htm

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