Who Invented The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of the greatest American engineering accomplishments in history. Connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama is a 50-mile, man-made canal. Ever since Columbus had discovered the “new world” and not a shortcut to Asia, explorers had been fascinated with finding a way through South America instead of sailing around the southern tip. It seemed impossible and impractical to connect the two oceans at the time.
Throughout the 1800s, British and American Leaders wanted to ship goods between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Great Britain and The United States negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty in 1850 to stop rivalry over the proposed canal. The Anglo-American canal never went passed the planning
In 1901, the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty abrogated the previous Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. This Treaty licensed the United Stated to manage and build its own canal. They U.S. senate voted in favor of the canal being built through Panama. Within 6 months, a treaty was signed with Columbian Foreign Minister to build a new canal. The financial terms did not meet Colombian standard and they rejected the offer. President Roosevelt responded by sending warships to both Colón from the Atlantic and Panama City from the Pacific, to support the independence Panama. Independence in Panama was declared on November 3, 1903. A new deal was negotiated with the new government that gave rights to the Canal
Thousands of lives were lost constructing one of the most innovative accomplishments of its time. Starting at the Atlantic Ocean would take you on a seven-mile channel on Limón Bay, 11.5 miles to the Gatun Locks. This series of three locks raises ships 26 feet to the Gatun Lake. Continuing 32 miles on the channel of Gatun Lake, to Gamboa. This is where the Culebra Cut begins. At the end of 8 miles through the cut, the locks at San Pedro lower the ships 9.4 meters to take you to the Miraflores locks to lower the ships another 16 meters to sea