Panama Panama CanalCanalWorld GeographyWorld Geography

Mr. JohnsonMr. Johnson

Copyright, Concept & Creation: Geetesh BajajCopyright, Concept & Creation: Geetesh Bajaj

TEKS understandingsTEKS understandings

• The student is expected to:The student is expected to:• (A) analyze the effects of physical and human (A) analyze the effects of physical and human

geographic factors on major events including geographic factors on major events including the building of the Panama Canal; the building of the Panama Canal; andand

• (B) identify and explain reasons for changes (B) identify and explain reasons for changes in political boundaries such as those resulting in political boundaries such as those resulting from statehood and international conflicts.from statehood and international conflicts.

The student understands the impact of The student understands the impact of geographic factors on major events.geographic factors on major events.

HookHookImagine you are living on the East Coast in the early Imagine you are living on the East Coast in the early 2020thth century. Your family is in the clothing business century. Your family is in the clothing business and wants to sell clothes to new stores in San and wants to sell clothes to new stores in San Francisco. Of course, the clothes can’t be loaded Francisco. Of course, the clothes can’t be loaded on a plane - there aren't any planes. And trains are on a plane - there aren't any planes. And trains are too expensive and unreliable for shipping goods.too expensive and unreliable for shipping goods.

If a canal If a canal were built were built where the where the land between land between North North America and America and South South America is America is narrowest--narrowest--across across Panama--it Panama--it could shorten could shorten the trip by the trip by nearly 8,000 nearly 8,000 miles.miles.

ShortcutShortcut

Panama is an Panama is an isthmusisthmus,, a narrow a narrow strip of land which has water on strip of land which has water on each side and connects two larger each side and connects two larger bodies of land.bodies of land.

Isthmus of PanamaIsthmus of Panama

So your family decides So your family decides to send the clothes by to send the clothes by ship around the tip of ship around the tip of South America. The South America. The trip can easily take trip can easily take two months, and two months, and many ships (like the many ships (like the Olympia,Olympia, pictured) are pictured) are destroyed by terrible destroyed by terrible storms at Cape Horn.storms at Cape Horn.

Rounding the HoRounding the Hornrn

Shortcut to San FranciscoShortcut to San Francisco

After looking at these pictures After looking at these pictures what do you think would be the what do you think would be the challenges of trying to build a challenges of trying to build a canal through a tropical jungle canal through a tropical jungle and mountains?and mountains?

A tropical jungle A tropical jungle may be a may be a fascinatingfascinatingplace for scientists place for scientists to work, but forto work, but forworkers trying to workers trying to build a canal it’s abuild a canal it’s anightmare. Imagine nightmare. Imagine trying to dig outtrying to dig outtons of dirt in a tons of dirt in a jungle like this. And jungle like this. And there was no insect there was no insect repellent to keeprepellent to keepthe bugs from the bugs from biting.biting.

Panama rain Panama rain forestforest

Early History - 1513Early History - 1513Vasco Nunez de Balboa crosses the isthmus of Vasco Nunez de Balboa crosses the isthmus of Panama and becomes the first European to see Panama and becomes the first European to see the Pacific Ocean in the Americas. the Pacific Ocean in the Americas.

Early History – 1500’sEarly History – 1500’s

• 15241524 Spanish explorer Hernan Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes Cortes suggests that a path suggests that a path across the Isthmus of Panama across the Isthmus of Panama would be a great ideawould be a great idea

• 15341534 The King of Spain wants to build a canal The King of Spain wants to build a canal through Panamathrough Panama

• Although these people knew how beneficial to Although these people knew how beneficial to commerce it would be to create this they didn’t commerce it would be to create this they didn’t have the ability to do ithave the ability to do it

The 1800’sThe 1800’s• 18351835 - France is given a permit to build a - France is given a permit to build a

canal across Panama. However first they have canal across Panama. However first they have to come up with a plan to build the canal. to come up with a plan to build the canal.

• In In 1881 1881 headed headed

by Suez Canal by Suez Canal

builder builder

Ferdinand de Ferdinand de

Lessups, they Lessups, they

finally start.finally start.

Courtesy of: http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto002.htm

After eight years After eight years France gives up on France gives up on the project.the project.

The effort lost over 20,000 men and cost over The effort lost over 20,000 men and cost over $287 million (1.5 billion francs). The French $287 million (1.5 billion francs). The French company was the greatest business failure of company was the greatest business failure of the 19th century.the 19th century.

Phillippe Bunau-Phillippe Bunau-VarillaVarillaThrough extensive lobbying of Through extensive lobbying of businessmen, government businessmen, government officials, and the officials, and the American public, American public, Bunau-Varilla Bunau-Varilla successfully successfully convinced the convinced the U.S. Senate to U.S. Senate to appropriate appropriate $40 million to the New Panama $40 million to the New Panama Canal Company in the form of Canal Company in the form of the the Spooner Act of 1902. of 1902.

This flag was designed This flag was designed by Varilla based on the by Varilla based on the Flag of the United States Flag of the United States as a tribute to the U.S. as a tribute to the U.S. contribution to Panama's contribution to Panama's independence. independence.

19041904 - The United States - The United States begins working on the begins working on the CanalCanal

19141914 - The canal is - The canal is completedcompleted

19771977 - The United States - The United States signs a treaty with signs a treaty with Panama and agrees to Panama and agrees to give Panama control of give Panama control of the canal in 1999.the canal in 1999.

The United StatesThe United States

On November 2, 1903, the Columbian On November 2, 1903, the Columbian naval vessel Cartagena was deployed to naval vessel Cartagena was deployed to Panama. The US warship Nashville, Panama. The US warship Nashville, (left)(left) with eight 4” guns, however, was able to with eight 4” guns, however, was able to force the ship to retreat. The Columbian force the ship to retreat. The Columbian garrison on Panama was bribed by US garrison on Panama was bribed by US forces not to intervene. The next day forces not to intervene. The next day Panama declared independence. Panama declared independence.

Image Courtesy of: http://www.britannica.com/nobel/art/orooseh001p1.jpg

He was determined to build a canal across He was determined to build a canal across Panama. It would expand trade, helps the United Panama. It would expand trade, helps the United States fleet mobilize more easily for national States fleet mobilize more easily for national defense, and show defense, and show

the world the United States was the world the United States was

becoming a world power.becoming a world power.

President Theodore President Theodore RooseveltRoosevelt

Why was it so important to Why was it so important to build a canal?build a canal?It is 1904. Feisty Theodore Roosevelt is president, and It is 1904. Feisty Theodore Roosevelt is president, and the United States is fast becoming one of the most the United States is fast becoming one of the most powerful nations in the world. powerful nations in the world. Such recent inventions as the Such recent inventions as the Telephone, the aeroplane, Telephone, the aeroplane, and the automobile make and the automobile make the 3,000 mile the 3,000 mile wide country wide country seem smaller.seem smaller.

““I took it…”I took it…”“…the Panama Canal would not have started if I had not taken hold of it, because if I had followed the traditional or conservative method I should have submitted an admirable state paper to Congress… Accordingly I took the Isthmus, started the canal and then left Congress not to debate the canal, but to debate me."

--Theodore Roosevelt(pictured on steam shovel during 1906 visit)(pictured on steam shovel during 1906 visit)

The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans come within 45 miles of each other at Panama’s narrowest point.

•So the United States is ready to do what So the United States is ready to do what seemed impossible-to join the Atlantic and seemed impossible-to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.Pacific Oceans.•But a major decision had to be made. Should But a major decision had to be made. Should the canal be built at sea level like the Suez the canal be built at sea level like the Suez Canal?Canal?

Or should it follow the natural rise of the land? Or should it follow the natural rise of the land? This would mean building locks (to raise and This would mean building locks (to raise and lower ships as they pass through the canal). lower ships as they pass through the canal). Locks this big had not yet been built. The Locks this big had not yet been built. The decision was made in favor of having locks. decision was made in favor of having locks. Now they just had to figure out how to build Now they just had to figure out how to build them.them.

Drawn in 1903, this “Topographic, Diagramatic, and Illustrative Map of the Panama Canal” illustrates the project for U.S. readers. The top panel depicts the excavations done by the two French companies that began construction. The middle panel shows a profile of the project.

Building the CanalBuilding the CanalThe next few pictures show what the area looked like The next few pictures show what the area looked like when the French started building the canal. What when the French started building the canal. What challenges do you think they faced building a canal in challenges do you think they faced building a canal in this type of area?this type of area?

Image Courtesy of: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/jennions/images/Panama%20lake.jpg

The average yearly rainfall is about 80 inches. The average yearly rainfall is about 80 inches. Flooding makes the ground like pudding, and Flooding makes the ground like pudding, and you can sink up to your knees in mud. Tropical you can sink up to your knees in mud. Tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria are diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria are spread by mosquitoes.spread by mosquitoes.

Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

The deepest excavation known as the Culebra The deepest excavation known as the Culebra Cut would have to be made through a verdant Cut would have to be made through a verdant cloud forest, Panama’s section of the cloud forest, Panama’s section of the Continental Divide.Continental Divide.

John P. John P. StevensStevensHired by Roosevelt as chief engineer on the Stevens' primary achievement in Panama was in building the infrastructure necessary to complete the canal.

A railroad man, Stevens rebuilt A railroad man, Stevens rebuilt the Panama Railway and the Panama Railway and devised a system for disposing devised a system for disposing of soil from the excavations by of soil from the excavations by rail. rail.

Given a nearly unlimited budget and authority, Given a nearly unlimited budget and authority, Stevens increased the size and scale of Stevens increased the size and scale of excavating equipment and had his medical excavating equipment and had his medical officer eradicate the dreaded Yellow Fever officer eradicate the dreaded Yellow Fever mosquitoes.mosquitoes.

1909 Arrival of SS. 1909 Arrival of SS. Ancon with 1500 Ancon with 1500 laborers from laborers from Barbados at the Barbados at the Cristobal Port in Cristobal Port in

Colon, PanamaColon, Panama  

Thousands of Thousands of workers were hired, workers were hired, mostly from the mostly from the Carribean. At least Carribean. At least 25,000 of them 25,000 of them were listed as were listed as having died from having died from disease and injury.disease and injury.

Human tollHuman toll

Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

Imagine working on Imagine working on the Panama Canal. the Panama Canal. By noon the By noon the temperature is about temperature is about 100 degrees. It’s 100 degrees. It’s humid-so humid that humid-so humid that after it rains steam after it rains steam rises from the ground rises from the ground and your clothes and your clothes become soaking wet. become soaking wet. There is no shade, no There is no shade, no air-conditioning, and air-conditioning, and no place to get cool.no place to get cool.

Photo courtesy of: www.canalmuseum.com

As one worker said, “There was no As one worker said, “There was no shelter from the sun or the rain. shelter from the sun or the rain. There were no trees, and when the There were no trees, and when the sun shines, you get sun shines, you get it. When the rain falls you get it.”it. When the rain falls you get it.”

Photo courtesy of: www.canalmuseum.com

The building of the The building of the canalcanal

Photos Courtesy of www.panamacanal.com

Building Building the giant the giant lockslocks

Photo from the Canal Zone Brats www.czbrats.com

Courtesy of: http://www.canalmuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto026.htm

Building the giant lock Building the giant lock gatesgates

Canal opening - 1914Canal opening - 1914When the Panama Canal opened officially on August 15, 1914, the world scarcely noticed. German troops were driving across Belgium toward Paris; the newspapers relegated Panama to their back pages.

The S.S. The S.S. CristobalCristobal (above)(above) makes a test run makes a test run through the canal through the canal on August 4, on August 4, 1914, eleven 1914, eleven days before the days before the official opening.official opening.

August 15, 1914August 15, 1914

The Panama Canal officially opens The Panama Canal officially opens with the inaugural passage of the with the inaugural passage of the S.S. S.S. Ancon.Ancon.

Miraflores locksMiraflores locksTime-lapse cam of a week’s traffic.Time-lapse cam of a week’s traffic.

PedrPedro o MiguMiguel el locklockss

Birds Eye View Of the Construction Site At Pedro Miguel Locks - 1913 Birds Eye View Of the Construction Site At Pedro Miguel Locks - 1913 

Once the largest manmade lake in the world, at 422 square kilometers Lago Gatún is still a plenty impressive body of water. It was formed by damming the Río Chagres near its mouth, at Gatún, and is an integral part of the Panama Canal.

Lake GatunLake GatunShips wait in Gatun Lake for passage through locks.Ships wait in Gatun Lake for passage through locks.

Gatun LocksGatun LocksUnder construction Feb. 15, 1910Under construction Feb. 15, 1910

PanamPanamax ax

The largest ships The largest ships able to go through able to go through the canal are the canal are described as being of described as being of Panamax size.Panamax size.

How the Panama Canal How the Panama Canal worksworks

Image Courtesy of: http://www.panamacanal-cruises.com/panama-canal-pictures/crosssections.jpg

How a lock worksHow a lock works• http://http://www.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/index.htmlwww.pancanal.com/eng/general/howitworks/index.html

A lock is a part of a A lock is a part of a canal with gates at canal with gates at each end where each end where boats are raised or boats are raised or lowered to different lowered to different water levels.water levels.

The ship goes through a set of gates into a The ship goes through a set of gates into a lock chamber. The water in the chamber is lock chamber. The water in the chamber is still at sea level. Then more water comes still at sea level. Then more water comes pouring into the chamber through valves.pouring into the chamber through valves.

The ship rises like a toy boat in a bathtub. The ship rises like a toy boat in a bathtub. When the water rises high enough, the ship When the water rises high enough, the ship passes through a second set of gates and enters passes through a second set of gates and enters a small lake. It goes to the next lock and the a small lake. It goes to the next lock and the water is raised again. water is raised again.

Today, ships get stuck in traffic jams because Today, ships get stuck in traffic jams because there are there are so many of them and they often have so many of them and they often have to wait up to 20 hours to go through the canal.to wait up to 20 hours to go through the canal.

Panama Panama CanalCanal

In 2006, Panama voters In 2006, Panama voters approved a $5.25 billion approved a $5.25 billion plan to expand and modernize the canal. The project plan to expand and modernize the canal. The project includes two new sets of single-lane, three-step locks: includes two new sets of single-lane, three-step locks: one set at the Atlantic entrance and one at the Pacific one set at the Atlantic entrance and one at the Pacific

Post-PanamaxPost-Panamax

Since it now takes 52 million gallons of rainwater Since it now takes 52 million gallons of rainwater to put a ship through the Panama Canal, water-to put a ship through the Panama Canal, water-conserving reservoirs are being built as part of the conserving reservoirs are being built as part of the upgrade for the third channel.upgrade for the third channel.

New locks for Panama New locks for Panama CanalCanal

Links to Panama CanalLinks to Panama Canal

• BBC.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/Panama CanalBBC.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/Panama Canal• Linda Hall.org/events_exhib/civil/openingLinda Hall.org/events_exhib/civil/opening• Panoramio.com/photo/GatunLakePanoramio.com/photo/GatunLake• PBS.org/wgbh/amex/tr/panamaPBS.org/wgbh/amex/tr/panama• Media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/Media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/• Pancanal.comPancanal.com/eng/index/eng/index• Wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipe_Bunau-VarillaWikipedia.org/wiki/Phillipe_Bunau-Varilla• America's Best History/abhtimeline1900America's Best History/abhtimeline1900• Barbados Free Press/2008/03/13/cost-of-the-panama-canal-500-dead-per-mile-mosBarbados Free Press/2008/03/13/cost-of-the-panama-canal-500-dead-per-mile-mos

tly-black-jamaicans-and-bajans/tly-black-jamaicans-and-bajans/• Navy.memorieshop.com/Panama/ProfilePC.jpgNavy.memorieshop.com/Panama/ProfilePC.jpg• Canal Canal Museum.com/photos/panamacanalphotoMuseum.com/photos/panamacanalphoto• Archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/fall/panamaArchives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/fall/panama• Learnaboutpanama.com/PanamaFlag.htmlLearnaboutpanama.com/PanamaFlag.html• DBA-Oracle.com/golf_travel/panana_canal_cruise_tipsDBA-Oracle.com/golf_travel/panana_canal_cruise_tips• http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-53770/In-the-drawing-only-two-http://student.britannica.com/eb/art-53770/In-the-drawing-only-two-

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