US Construction of the Canal Flashcards
What steps did the US take to avoid the mistakes the French made while attempting to build the canal?
Mostly jungle, wanted to avoid the mistakes the French had made - sanitised the zone (10 mile stretch that included the railroad) to kill mosquitos that carried malaria and yellow fever. 180/190mm of rain a year. Inter-ocean Canal Commission (ICC) advised President, didn’t know how to design the canal, mountainous region, recovered old French equipment.
How did construction of the canal proceed under the US?
Government supports, rather than relying on private enterprise, in the construction of the canal. Roosevelt took credit for the canal. Gave the project to army corps of engineers, oversaw its construction and its operations for 90 years.
What system did the US eventually decide upon for the canal?
1906/7 - lock canal. Panama had several rivers, some small and shallow. Saves digging. One river went 70% across Panama before going into the mountains. Wet and dry seasons - 4/5 months intense rain, rivers fluctuate levels. Created a dam and flooded the valley making a huge lake. Enormous amounts of concrete used, 12 million gallons of water used every time a ship through the gates.
Where did the US find labour sources to work on the canal?
Not a large enough population in Panama to provide labour, US had large anti-Asian policy at the time, US citizens didn’t want to go to Panama, work accidents, disease, mistreatment by the army. British islands in the West Indies provided most of the labour. France also recruited there, and when the company went bankrupt many labourers were stranded in Panama.
What problems did West Indians face working in Panama and how did their government attempt to protect them?
Didn’t fit in, spoke English, were Protestants and black, Jim Crow in US also instituted in the Panama canal. Didn’t want to work in the canal after this experience. Barbados agreed but negotiated contract for workers (wages, health care, repatriation, housing). 90% of labourers from the West Indies.
How did the treatment of US workers contrast to those from the West Indies during the construction of the canal?
Attractive salary range for American, benefits, could return home every year for a month, paid vacations, built hospitals, commissaries, churchs, recreational facilities, infrastructure (sanitation, roads etc.), civic organisations etc. Created whole American town in the CZ (Canal Zone). Panamanians and West Indians didn’t benefit from this. Different pay grades (gold & silver) based on race and nationality.
What was the Dingly Tariff? How did Panamanians respond?
For Panamanians to pay if they wanted to sell in the CZ, complain, supplies coming from New Orelans, Roosevelt & Taft agree this is not fair. US competition to Panamanian businesses. Panamanians already unhappy they have few opportunities to work on the canal - exported to West Indians. Taft went to Panama to assure them this would be fixed, wasn’t.
What was the gold and silver roll?
US workers paid on US scale (gold standard) foreigners paid in local currency (silver standard). 1898 US gold standard had a higher value on world markets than silver, $10 gold = $1 silver (?). Europeans also paid in gold. Race issue segregated workforce by race, Panamanians complained it went against US law.
How segregated was the CZ? What was Depopulation Policy?
Separate facilities including schools and accommodation. Black mark against CZ for 50/60 years. New chief engineer of Panama Canal officer in US army, given dictatorial authority for the Panama Canal by president. Decided CZ would only have canal employees living in there, visitors had to be checked. Lots of towns along the old railway, 30/40,000 Panamanians living in that area. Depopulation Policy - no reason why it had to be done that way, not a policy in other canals e.g. Suez. Some towns flooded - Lost Towns.
When did the first ship sail through the Panama Canal and when was it officially opened?
- WW1 broke out, couldn’t allow hostile states to pass through the canal? unsure how to act, left it unopened. Officially opened 1920.
