US History: Theodore Roosevelt, the Panama Canal, and the Debate over Imperialism

Theodore Roosevelt

Historian, Cowboy, Buffalo hunter, Crime fighter, 26th President of the US

Harvard

Ivy League university where TR studied History and later Law

Rough Riders

First US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment organized by TR during the Spanish-American War

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

TR's famous quote advocating for a strong yet diplomatic approach

Nobel Peace Prize

Awarded to TR for mediating peace between Japan and Russia

Panama Canal

Waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, completed in 1914

French concession

25-year rights bought by a French company from Colombia to build the Panama Canal

Panamanian 'revolution'

US-supported uprising leading to Panama's independence and the acquisition of the Canal Zone

Construction of the Panama Canal

Began in 1904, completed in 1914, involving workers from 97 countries

Columbia

Country that initially owned the land where the Panama Canal was built, later compensated by the US

Childhood

Wealthy merchant family from NY and had asthma; Dad made him overcome it with exercise

Adulthood Story’s

Feb 1884, TR lost his first wife (died in childbirth) and his mother (typhoid) on same day

2. Lived on a ranch in Dakota Territory (hunted, rode horses, studied history)

Positions held

Assistant Secretary of the Navy

a. Resigned when Spanish-American War started to organize the First US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (“Rough Riders”)

4. Governor of NY

5. Vice President of the US until Sept 1901 when an assassin’s bullet killed President McKinley.

6. President of the US at age 42, the youngest man ever to hold the office

beliefs

1. US needed to be strong and sure of themselves

2. Anglo-Saxon race (whites who spoke English) was superior

3. Pro- American Imperialism

4. Pro- Going to war with Spain

5. Pro- Expanding America’s empire by acquiring new territories

6. “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”

Nobel Peace Prize

1. TR wants to keep Japan and Russia in check in Asia.

2. He supports Japan in war against Russia, then mediates peace agreement between two countries in Portsmouth, New Hampshire before Japan can crush Russia completely.

a. He persuades Japan to take small land grants and control over Korea instead of money

b. He persuades Russia to leave Manchuria

3. His role as ‘mediator’ wins him the Nobel Peace Prize

Why Panama Canal?

A. Need for quick route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

1. NYC to San Francisco by boat before canal = 15,000 miles

2. NYC to San Francisco by boat after canal = 6,100 miles

Why pt2

B. Panama was province of Columbia

C. 1879-French company bought 25 year concession from Columbia to build canal across Panama.

1. 10 years later, French abandon project because of yellow fever and mismanagement

2. French offer its remaining rights to US for $100 million; We refuse

3. 1901- Price drops to $40 million; US Congress accepts, but Columbian land lease still needed

Why pt3

D. Columbia waiting/wanted French concession to expire (1904) so it could sell it area for a higher price

Why pt4

Teddy Roosevelt angered by Columbians ‘greed’.

1. Conspires with French company to organize a Panamanian ‘revolution’ against Columbia.

a. Nov 1903- US warships provide support for rebels.

b. When over, US recognizes an independent Panama and becomes its protector.

c. In return, US received a permanent grant of a ten-mile wide strip of land for a Canal Zone

construction

1. Began 1904, workers from 97 countries, many with no construction experience

2. Finished 1914 (six months ahead of schedule and $23 million under budget)

1921- Panama Canal

Congress votes to pay $25 million to Columbia after feeling guilty about the illegal way we acquired the Canal Zone (TR was dead)