USA HISTORY

Which nation had denied the U.S. the ability to build the Panama Canal?

(A) Mexico

(B) Venezuela

(C) Nicaragua

(D) ** Colombia

Concept note-1: -In 1903, the United States and Colombia signed the Hay–Herrán Treaty to finalize the construction of the Panama Canal but the process was not completed because the Congress of Colombia rejected the measure (which the Colombian government had proposed) on August 12, 1903.

Concept note-2: -In 1903, the United States supported a bloodless revolution in the Colombian province of Panama after the Colombian government rejected a U.S. treaty to acquire land in Panama to build the canal.

Concept note-3: -The U.S. needed to get permission to build the canal from the country of Colombia, because in those days Panama was part of that country. Colombia refused, however, apparently hoping to be offered a bigger payment.

Concept note-4: -The area that became Panama was part of Colombia until the Panamanians revolted, with U.S. support, in 1903. In 1904, the United States and Panama signed a treaty that allowed the United States to build and operate a canal that traversed Panama.

Concept note-5: -In January 1903, Colombia signed a treaty to permit the United States to build the Panama Canal. The treaty gave the United States a canal zone. This was a piece of land ten kilometers wide across Panama. The United States could use the canal zone for one hundred years.