Unit 4 Lesson 3: US Power in Latin America Flashcards
Which geographical feature provided an ideal location to build a canal?
The Isthmus of Panama
What is an Isthmus?
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that has water on each side with the strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land.
how many miles of land separated the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Only 50 miles of land
What was Roosevelts orginal plan to build a canal near the Isthums?
To build the canal, Roosevelt had to deal with Colombia, which owned the isthmus. Roosevelt asked Secretary of State John Hay to approach Colombia. Hay offered $10 million cash plus $250,000 a year to rent a strip of land across Panama.
How was Roosevelt able to build a canal in Panama?
Roosevelt knew that some Panamanians wanted to break away from Colombia. He made it known that he would not help Colombia suppress the rebels. In fact, he might even support the rebellion.
On November 2, 1903, the American warship Nashville dropped anchor in the port of ColĂłn, Panama. The next day, Panamanians rebelled against Colombia.
American forces stopped Colombian troops from crushing the revolt. Panama then declared itself an independent republic. The United States recognized the new nation at once. Panama in turn agreed to let the United States build a canal on terms similar to those it had offered to Colombia.
What made Panama a mosquito paradise?
With its tropical heat, heavy rainfall, and plentiful swamps, Panama was a “mosquito paradise.
What challenges did workers face due to the mosquito paradise?
Death and diseases
Mosquitoes carry two of the deadliest tropical diseases: malaria and yellow fever.
Who was Dr. William Gorgas, and what did he do?
Dr. William Gorgas, an army physician, arrived in Panama in 1905 to help control the mosquitoes and the spread of disease. He ordered workers to locate all pools of water, where mosquitoes laid their eggs. Day after day, the workers drained swamps, sprayed tons of insecticide, and spread oil on stagnant water to kill mosquito eggs.
By 1906, Gorgas had won his battle. Yellow fever disappeared from Panama. Malaria cases dropped dramatically. Work on the Panama Canal could proceed.
The majority of the people who worked to build the canal were…
blacks from the West Indies.
When was the canal finished?
Finally, in 1914, the first ocean-going steamship traveled through the Panama Canal.
How did the canal benfit trade?
The new waterway helped the trade of many nations. American merchants and manufacturers benefited most. They could now ship goods cheaply to South America and Asia.
In 1902, several European countries sent warships to force Venezuela to repay its debts. How did US react to this?
President Roosevelt decided that the United States must step in to keep Europeans out.
What was the Roosevelt Corollary?
In 1904, Roosevelt announced an important corollary, or addition, to the Monroe Doctrine. He claimed that the United States had a right to intervene in Latin America to preserve law and order.
By using what he called “international police power,” the United States could force Latin Americans to pay their debts to foreign nations. It would also keep those nations from meddling in Latin American affairs.
What did William Tarft believe in?
Roosevelt’s successor, William Howard Taft, also favored a strong role in Latin America. However, he wanted to “substitute dollars for bullets.” He urged American bankers to invest in Latin America. Taft’s policy of building strong economic ties to Latin America became known as dollar diplomacy.
What is the dollar diplomacy?
Taft’s policy of building strong economic ties to Latin America became known as dollar diplomacy.
American investors responded eagerly. They helped build roads, railroads, and harbors in Latin America. These improvements increased trade, benefiting both the United States and local governments.
