Theodore Roosevelt_ (picture)
Foreign Policy: Theodore Roosevelt came into office with the ultimate belief that by expanding United States power abroad, America would be ready to defend itself around the world. As a member of his own Calvary Company, better known as the "Rough Rider's", Theodore Roosevelt had an overall vision of glory on the battle field. However, after facing tragedies during World War I, Theodore Roosevelt finally came to understand the brutality of war. Even before becoming president, Roosevelt was an influential part of U.S. Foreign Policy, serving as assistant secretary of the Navy under President McKinley. As Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt lobbied for a stronger Navy. Also, due to Roosevelt's concern of Spanish control over Cuba, Theodore fought to start a war against Spain. However, President McKinley ignored Roosevelt's written war plan.Therefore when the U.S. Battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Roosevelt was quick to place blame on Spain. Later, the U.S. declared war on Spain and Roosevelt resigned his navy position in order to organize a group called the "Rough Riders", the first Volunteer Calvary. Roosevelt lead his troops to a victory on Cuba's San Juan Hill, which was a moment that helped launch his political career. After President Mckinley's assassination in September of 1901, Roosevelt ascended into presidency. He brought with him a very imperialistic philosophy. However, his long term goal had always been to create a Central American Canal, linking the Atlantic and Pacific. In 1903, when negotiations with Columbia for a canal zone broke down, Roosevelt supported a revolution within Columbia. On November 3rd fighting began and then just days later, the independent country of Panama emerged from Columbian control. Immediately, Panama agreed to the American terms of a canal zone lease and just a year later the building of the Panama Canal began. In 1904, Roosevelt drafted the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This stated that the United States would intervene freely into any nation in the Western Hemisphere guilty of brutal "wrongdoing". This ideal came into play when the Italian Navy came into play to collect its due, however Roosevelt enforced the Corollary. This forced the Dominican request of U.S. assistance which lead to the U.S. taking over collection of Dominican Customs Revenue and setting up a debt payment plan. All of these factors of the Roosevelt Corollary forestalled European intervention. Roosevelt also has many militaristic tactics and was capable to shrewd diplomacy and peacemaking. HE referred to the quote "Speak softly and carry a big stick" while making remarks about his militaristic ideals. This implied Roosevelt's tactic of using non aggression acts unless violence is required. Overall, President Roosevelt's imperialistic and militaristic ideals as well as his long term goal of the creation of a canal are what lead to the creation of the Panama Canal in 1903. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tr-foreign/ |
Ulysses S. Grant_ (picture)
In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant sent a letter to congress calling for the construction of a canal. In the letter it called for a canal that connected the Pacific and Caribbean through the Isthmus of Panama. Between 1870 and 1875 Grant sent seven expeditions to study the practicability of canal construction. However, towards to end of his presidency Grant believed that this goal of the canal was not achievable
In late 1880, Grant was contacted by an American agent from the Panama Canal Company, Nathan Appleton. Nathan Appleton expressed the interest in a French effort to build a sea level canal along the Panama Railroad lead by Ferdinand De Lesseps. Appleton invited grant to be a part of this French project. However, Grant responded to Appleton with a letter rejecting his offer. The letter stated thing such as "I do not believe the project feasible in the first place" and "I should oppose it at any rate under European expansion." However, in the end Grants judgement was correct, resulting in end of the French project after years of construction and disease. Therefore Grants idea of a canal through the Isthmus of Panama would not become a reality until 1904. http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/empire-building/resources/panama-canal-proposal-1881 |
This video summarizes some of Theodore Roosevelt's plans for Panama as President. For example, it includes how he dealt with the Yellow Fever epidemic, how the workers created the Culebra Cut, and how this cut connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Other Influential Leaders of the Panama Canal..
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George Washington GoethalsGeorge Washington Goethals was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt on February 26,1907. Goethals was determined to see the project of the Panama Canal completed. He played a huge role in not only the success of the Canal but the speed in which it was finished. Goethals brought the project ahead of schedule and finished it in 1914. At a congressmen visit in 1907 George Washington Goethals stated "I now consider that I am commanding the Army of Panama, and the enemy we are going to combat is the Culebra Cut and the locks and dams at both ends of the Canal." Also Goethal was in charge of the Records known as the "Canal Record 1907" , which was a weekly newspaper designed to improve camaraderie and morale of the workers. This Document states that "The Primary purpose of THE CANAL RECORD, is the publication of accurate information, based upon official records, concerning all branches of the work of Canal construction". It is through these papers that citizens and workers around the Canal are informed and update about the Locks, the Culebra Cut, sickness ect. This appointment was unforgettable because it marked the turning point of construction. This canal that so many people dreamed of was not becoming a reality.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/panama-engineers/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/panama-record/ |
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John StevensJohn Stevens served as the chief engineer of the Canal in 1905 because of the accomplishments of the Great Northern Railway. He helped expand the American Rail lines West and contributed to the white settlement of the Pacific Northwest. During this time President Roosevelt described the Canal's affairs as a "Devil of a mess". John Stevens took this to heart and approached the job in a humanitarian manner applying his engineering efforts. His first contribution to the canal consisted of a food car. These food cars contained entertainment and sustenance for the men. Stevens was later appointed by Ralph Budd to rebuild the railroad across the Panamanian Isthmus. This was a large goal yet he was willing to strive for it. Budd found this very challenging to cut through hundreds of feet of mud and rock into the Culebra Mountain. Stevens shortly realized this plan was impossible. Stevens then began to lobby for a lock system to build an artificial lake in what was then a rainforest. After 20 months of lobbying, it all proved to be a success and ultimately lead to the completion of the Canal.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/panama-engineers/ |
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John Findley WallaceJohn Findley Wallace attended Monmouth College and received an engineering degree from the College of Wooster in 1882. Wallace served as the assistant Civil Engineer for the United States Engineering Corps in which he focused on river and harbor work in the upper Mississippi river. For the next 15 years he served as the chief engineer and eventually general manager of the Illinois Central Railroad. On May 16th 1904, Wallace became an important figure in the construction of the Canal. This day marks the day that President Roosevelt appointed Wallace chief Engineer of the Panama Canal Project. Wallace began to receive a $25,000 annual salary which at the time was the highest salary of any government employee other than the president. Wallace realized almost immediately upon starting woe on the canal that the Isthmus Terrain was an obstacle. Wallace began to face many obstacles such as inability to reach government demands, inefficiency, and bureaucratic challenges from the Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC). Due to these many obstacles, Wallace resigned abruptly in June of 1905 yet his contributions early on influenced the creation of the Panama Canal.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/panama-engineers/ |