American Involvement

Despite France’s failure, United States President Theodore Roosevelt was especially interested in the construction of the Panama Canal.  Columbia refused. At the time, Panama was a Colombian territory trying to gain independence.

Hoping to receive permission to start construction, Roosevelt sent warships to help gain Panamanian independence.

After achieving independence, Panama signed the 1903 Hay-Bunau-­Varilla treaty, negotiated by Philippe Bunau-Varilla, with the United States to thank them. However they soon regretted the treaty feeling they conceded too much. This treaty allowed the U.S. to start construction. On June 19, 1902, the U.S. Senate voted to officially begin construction of the Panama Canal.