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Panama Canal

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Panama Canal
The Reason for the Season: Panama Canal

Panama is a unique country consisting of a few tremendous natural occurrences that led to the building of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal can easily be described as one of the most crucial maritime operation sites in the entire world. The Panama Canal creates an easy access channel that navigates ships through the North and Southern American continents, instead of around them. This engineering marvel has drastically changed how shipping was conducted prior to its completion. Voyages to and fro from the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean usually consisted of a few months time, now this task only take a few hours. The Panama Canal has been considered a major topic in foreign affairs conduct, as well as, conduct issues concerning working conditions. Three countries have had their own plans for the canal, and now Panama, the little guy, is now in possession of the most historical and economical asset in its countries history. This paper will discuss the history behind the first development of the canal, the United States acquisition, construction, and completion of the canal. Lastly discussing the handing over of control of the canal. Most importantly, the Panama Canal was a crucial asset for United States during the twentieth century. Not only was the canal a major contributor in trade, but militarily, the United States benefited as well. Overall, the United States intervention of the Panama Canal was a cause for national benefit and security. For centuries Panama has become an attraction for trade routes and colonial imperialism because of its unique location and impressive Isthmus. First discovered by Spanish Explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa, in search of gold, the Isthmus of Panama has been used as an important trade location by many nations for centuries. (Sharp-Dean, 2009) The Panamanian Canal wasn’t originally in possession by the United States, but in reality the French had a hand its first real development.



Bibliography: * Sanchez, Peter. "The End of Hegemony? Panama and the United States." International Journal of World Peace 19.3 (2002): 57. Print. * Tenner, Edward. "Humanities." Humanities 32.1 (2011). Print. * Anonymous. "Panama Canal." Civil Engineering 72.11 (2002): 114. Print. * Parker, Matthew. Hell 's Gorge: the Battle to Build the Panama Canal. London: Arrow, 2008. Print. * "History of the Panama Canal." Latin American Studies. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/canal/canal-history.htm>. * Authority, Panama Canal. "BBC - History - British History in Depth: Panama Canal Gallery." BBC - Homepage. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/panama_gallery_02.shtml>. * Chantziara, Thalia. "Panama 's Canal." Harvard International Reviews 20.3 (1998). Print. * Fernando, Manfredo. "The Future of the Panama Canal." Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs 35.3 (1993). Print. * "BBC NEWS | Americas | Panama Plans Huge Canal Expansion." BBC - Homepage. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4941126.stm>. * "Panama Canal Inspires Poets." Building the New Panama Canal. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.buildingthenewpanamacanal.com/panama-canal-inspires-poets/>.

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