Panama Canal

 SS5H3 The student will describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century.  C. Explain how the building of the Panama Canal expanded America’s role in the world.

 After gaining new territory in the Spanish- American War, America saw the need for a passageway through Central America. Why?  Theodore Roosevelt was the president at this time. ( )  President Roosevelt thought that a canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans could help America’s military and economic interests.

 Short 4 min. Video: &safe=active &safe=active

 the U.S. purchased a strip of land from Panama. This area became known as the Canal Zone.  Construction on the canal was difficult. Many workers became ill. Doctors figured out that the mosquitoes carried yellow fever and malaria, so they set up ways to fight the problem.  Workers were told to drain swamps, cover water supplies and tents with nets, and put in new sewers.

 The Panama Canal opened. It is about 50 miles from Atlantic to Pacific.  The Panama Canal helped the U.S. economically because it now had clear access to world trade.  It helped the military because now the U.S. Navy had a clear sailing to defend the U.S. all over the world.

Make your own map. Which route would be better, cheaper, faster, and safer?

 Explain how the building of the Panama Canal made things better for the world.  How did building this help expand America’s role in the world?  Who was Theodore Roosevelt?

 Big, Bigger, Biggest…The Panama Canal  bigger-biggest/videos/panama-canal.htm bigger-biggest/videos/panama-canal.htm