The United States played a key role in the Panama Revolution of 1903 and the subsequent building of the Panama Canal. The revolution was engineered by rebels in Panama who were backed by the Panama Canal Company and hoped to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. When Colombia rejected the Hay-Herrán Treaty granting the US canal rights, the US gave approval to the Panamanian rebels. It also stopped Colombian troops from reaching Panama by rail, allowing Panama to declare independence on November 3, 1903. The US quickly recognized the new nation and signed a treaty granting it control of the Panama Canal Zone.

1. Influence of America
in Panama Revolution
Standard
11.4 Students trace the rise of the United
States to its role as a world power in the
twentieth century.
11.4.3- Discuss America's role in the Panama
Revolution and the building of the Panama Canal.

2. Influence of America
in Panama Revolution
• Learning Objectives:
• Discuss the Panama Revolution and the
building of the Panama Canal
• Analyze the role of America in Panama
Revolution

3. Panama Revolution
• The revolution was engineered by a rebellion
group Panama, backed by the Panama
Canal Company(a French-U.S. corporation)
that hoped to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans with a waterway across the Isthmus of
Panama.

4. Panama Canal on the World Map
Isthmus is a
narrow stripe
of land, in
between two
big water
bodies

5. The Sequence of Events
• In 1903, the “Hay-Herrán Treaty” was signed
with Colombia, granting the United States use
of the Isthmus of Panama in exchange for
financial compensation.
• The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, but the
Colombian Senate, fearing a loss of
sovereignty, refused.

6. • In response, President Theodore
Roosevelt gave silent approval to a rebellion
group, which began on November 3, 1903.
• The Columbian government wanted to crush
the rebels, and was sending its troops to
Panama, by trains.
• (There was a big forest between Columbia and
its province Panama, and was travelled by
trains. This railroad was administered by
America)

7. • When Columbia wanted
to send its army to
Panama, America stopped
its trains on terminus
of Colón, so the
Columbian soldiers
could not reach Panama.
• Other Colombian forces
were discouraged from
marching on Panama
by the arrival of the
U.S. warship Nashville.

8. Panama declares independence
(November 3, 1903)

9. • On November 6, the United States recognized
the Republic of Panama.
• And on November 18, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla
Treaty was signed with Panama, granting the
United States exclusive and permanent
possession of the Panama Canal Zone.
• In exchange, Panama received $10 million and
an annuity of $250,000 beginning nine years
later.

10. • Almost immediately, the treaty was condemned
by many Panamanians as an violation of their
country’s sovereignty.
• On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal was
inaugurated with the passage of the U.S.
vessel Ancon, a cargo and passenger ship.
• After decades of protest and negotiations,
the Panama Canal passed to Panamanian
control in December 1999.

11. Panama Canal

12. Panama Canal operating

13. Vocabulary
• Isthmus: A narrow stripe of land in between
two big water bodies
• Treaty: A written agreement
• Sovereignty: A state of self governing, having
full control of your state
• Troops: Soldiers
• Violation: to break some rule or code of
conduct