USA HISTORY

Which country controlled the Isthmus of Panama in years prior to the U.S. acquiring it for the canal?

(A) ** Colombia

(B) Nicaragua

(C) Mexico

(D) Venezuela

Concept note-1: -Since Panama was then part of Colombia, Roosevelt began negotiating with that country to obtain the necessary rights.

Concept note-2: -Summary. 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-3: -The United States took over the project on May 4, 1904, and opened the canal on August 15, 1914. The US continued to control the canal and surrounding Panama Canal Zone until the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties provided for handover to Panama.

Concept note-4: -In Washington, President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos sign a treaty agreeing to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama at the end of the 20th century.

Concept note-5: -Two efforts to build the canal were made: the French effort by Ferdinand de Lesseps. Unfortunately, this attempt failed. The U.S. followed with the engineer John Findley Wallace from 1904 to 1905. He was followed by John Frank Stevens, who led the construction from 1905 to 1907.