Panama Canal Essay

They were 95 ton machines that can scoop up to 8 tons at a time. Stevens, Wallace's successor, made great use of railroads. Railroads were instrumental in building the canal as it was needed to move all the dirt being dug out. He used the swinging boom on a flat car to be able to move the trains easier. He had open cars with plows that were able to off load the dirt in about ten minutes.

The Americans also used dam technology. The entire canal was built around a series of locks and gates.

Why was the canal deemed important to the United States?

The canal was important for a number of reasons. It would mark a major achievement for the United States, succeeding where others have failed. The canal would unite two biggest oceans in the world. The canal would symbolize American genius and innovation, solidifying their status as a world power. It would also be a conduit for American naval power and cement American economic interests. America was the number one industrial power at the time, and it needed to secure a way to ship its goods all over the world. Why and when did the United States cede the canal back to the Panamanians? The United States on September 7, 1977 signed two treaties known as the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (McCullough, 618). Under the first treaty the U.S. retained the right to defend the canal from any threat that might interfere with its continued serve to ships. The second treaty known as the Panama Canal Treaty, Panama would take control of the canal and be responsible for its primary defense on 12:00am on December 31st, 1999. Works Cited Ives, Stephen . "American Experience: TV's most-watched history series.." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. . McCullough, David G.. The path between the seas: the creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914. New….....