Section 3: U.S. Involvement Section 3: U.S. Involvement OverseasOverseas

When the United States had ideas When the United States had ideas of imperialism (building an of imperialism (building an

empire)…empire)…They saw Asia as potentially being profitable for their They saw Asia as potentially being profitable for their resources and as a market to sell goods (which is what resources and as a market to sell goods (which is what

colonies are for)colonies are for)

They even considered China They even considered China as a potential place to as a potential place to

expand interestsexpand interests Japan and some Japan and some European countries European countries were already claiming were already claiming rights to parts of rights to parts of China (China was a China (China was a weak country at the weak country at the time).time).

They were said to be They were said to be expanding their expanding their ““spheres of influencespheres of influence””

The United States The United States also wanted a piece also wanted a piece of the action in of the action in China.China.

We asked that China have an We asked that China have an Open Door PolicyOpen Door Policy

That all nations That all nations would be allowed to would be allowed to trade in China.trade in China.

Eventually a group Eventually a group of Chinese (the of Chinese (the Boxers) were tired Boxers) were tired of the outside of the outside influences of all influences of all these foreigners these foreigners and had a and had a rebellion.rebellion.

Since the United States was Since the United States was starting to have more starting to have more interests in Asia…interests in Asia…

We needed We needed to find a to find a more more efficient efficient way to get way to get there – there – both for both for tradetrade and and for for militarymilitary purposes.purposes.

It was proposed to build a It was proposed to build a canal to connect the Atlantic canal to connect the Atlantic

and Pacific Oceansand Pacific Oceans A section of Columbia A section of Columbia had the best spot.had the best spot.

But, Columbia was But, Columbia was unwilling to give up a unwilling to give up a section of their land.section of their land.

President Roosevelt President Roosevelt sent the United States sent the United States Navy to help a small Navy to help a small revolution in Panama. revolution in Panama.

The revolution was The revolution was successful and a new successful and a new nation was created – nation was created – called Panamacalled Panama

These new leaders gave America the These new leaders gave America the rights to a ten mile wide strip of land rights to a ten mile wide strip of land

through Panamathrough Panama The United States paid The United States paid

Panama $10 million and Panama $10 million and agreed to give them agreed to give them 250,000 a year in 250,000 a year in ““rent.rent.””

Some people protested the Some people protested the United States had cheated United States had cheated Panama of their land. Panama of their land.

The U.S. finally paid The U.S. finally paid Columbia $25 million.Columbia $25 million.

Many Latin Americans Many Latin Americans developed a bigger developed a bigger mistrust of Americans mistrust of Americans (always coming in to (always coming in to someone elsesomeone else’’s country and s country and trying to take control)trying to take control)

The French had first decided to The French had first decided to build a canal through Panamabuild a canal through Panama

But they had to stop – too many diseasesBut they had to stop – too many diseases (Malaria, typhoid, yellow fever, etc)(Malaria, typhoid, yellow fever, etc) The U.S. eventually agreed to finish what The U.S. eventually agreed to finish what the French started (after cures were found the French started (after cures were found for these diseases)for these diseases)

Panama / Panama / The Panama CanalThe Panama Canal

The Panama Canal web site

The FutureThe Future The ships for which the canal was designed are now long gone. Modern shipping The ships for which the canal was designed are now long gone. Modern shipping

has increased the size of ships. The increase in the tonnage in which can be has increased the size of ships. The increase in the tonnage in which can be carried has thus caused problems for the canal. The canal can only accommodate carried has thus caused problems for the canal. The canal can only accommodate ships carrying up to 65,000 tons of cargo, but recently ships which are able ships carrying up to 65,000 tons of cargo, but recently ships which are able to carry 300,000 tons have been introduced.to carry 300,000 tons have been introduced.

The problem of the ever-increasing size in ships has caused discussion into The problem of the ever-increasing size in ships has caused discussion into the construction of a new canal joining the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. There the construction of a new canal joining the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. There have been discussions on three alternative routes for a new canal, through; have been discussions on three alternative routes for a new canal, through; Columbia, Mexico and Nicaragua. The Columbian and Mexican routes would allow Columbia, Mexico and Nicaragua. The Columbian and Mexican routes would allow for the construction of a sea level canal, whereas the Nicaraguan route would for the construction of a sea level canal, whereas the Nicaraguan route would require a lock system.require a lock system.

If a replacement canal were to be constructed, the economic effect on the If a replacement canal were to be constructed, the economic effect on the Republic of Panama would be a great concern as the present canal employs Republic of Panama would be a great concern as the present canal employs 14,000 people, of which 4,000 are Panamanians. It has been suggested that, if 14,000 people, of which 4,000 are Panamanians. It has been suggested that, if a new canal were to be built, the existing canal could be converted to a a new canal were to be built, the existing canal could be converted to a hydroelectric power station at a relatively small cost. As Panama has no iron-hydroelectric power station at a relatively small cost. As Panama has no iron-ore deposits and lacks oil, natural gas resources or skilled labor, there is ore deposits and lacks oil, natural gas resources or skilled labor, there is no real need for a new source of cheap power.no real need for a new source of cheap power.

The capacity of the existing canal could be increased by converting it to a The capacity of the existing canal could be increased by converting it to a sea level passage. This would be carried out by the dredging of more than 765 sea level passage. This would be carried out by the dredging of more than 765 million cubic meters of earth and rock which could be carried out without million cubic meters of earth and rock which could be carried out without interfering with existing canal traffic. Water retaining structures would be interfering with existing canal traffic. Water retaining structures would be constructed to maintain the canal levels during excavation. When excavation constructed to maintain the canal levels during excavation. When excavation had been completed, the water retaining structure would be demolished by had been completed, the water retaining structure would be demolished by blasting them into deep pits. The lowering of the canals level would take blasting them into deep pits. The lowering of the canals level would take place over a seven day period and would be the only time traffic would be place over a seven day period and would be the only time traffic would be disrupted.disrupted.

It was suggested during the 1960's that the canal could be increased in size It was suggested during the 1960's that the canal could be increased in size by the use of nuclear explosives and would cost less than one third, and take by the use of nuclear explosives and would cost less than one third, and take about half the time than using conventional excavation methods. It is now about half the time than using conventional excavation methods. It is now obvious that this would cause a great deal of concern for all anti-nuclear obvious that this would cause a great deal of concern for all anti-nuclear groups.groups.

The Panama Canals administration will be under the control of Panama in 1999The Panama Canals administration will be under the control of Panama in 1999

The United States also got The United States also got involved in the affairs of other involved in the affairs of other

Latin American countriesLatin American countries The Dominican The Dominican RepublicRepublic

NicaraguaNicaragua Mexico (Poncho Mexico (Poncho Villa)Villa)

President Roosevelt wanted to President Roosevelt wanted to make it clear that the United make it clear that the United

States would remain the dominant States would remain the dominant power in the western hemispherepower in the western hemisphere

We already had the We already had the Monroe Doctrine:Monroe Doctrine:

Roosevelt added Roosevelt added ““the Roosevelt the Roosevelt CorollaryCorollary””

This said the U.S. This said the U.S. would act as a would act as a policeman in North policeman in North America if they America if they had to.had to.

efforts by European efforts by European countries to colonize countries to colonize land or interfere with land or interfere with states in the Americas states in the Americas would be viewed by the would be viewed by the United States of United States of America as acts of America as acts of aggression requiring US aggression requiring US intervention intervention