USPR Unit I Lesson 1

20 vocabulary flashcards covering UNIT I LESSON 1 notes on History of Panama-US relations.

Roots of the US military presence in Panama

At the beginning of the US Civil War, to investigate local diseases

Two events driving early US intervention in Panama

The California Gold Rush, and the Trans Isthmian Railroad

Thousand Days' War

Colombia's civil conflict (approximately 1899–1902) that shaped Panama's political context.

Date of Panama's independence from Spain

Panama separated from Spanish rule in November 28, 1821 and joined Gran Colombia.

Attempts to separate from Gran Colombia

3 times in the years 1830, 1831, and 1840.

Why Panama wanted to separate from Gran Colombia

Panama felt ignored by Colombia, and there was no connection between the two countries.

White Panamanians' economic domination (1900)

They were the only ones who had external relations, they controlled the supplying of the railroads, and they controlled all the real estate.

Biggest pre-railroad expenditure in Panama

The Colombian Military

Bidlack Treaty

1846 treaty between the United States and Gran Colombia recognizing U.S. transit interests on the Isthmus while protecting Colombian sovereignty

Date of the Bidlack Treaty signing

December 12, 1846.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

1850 treaty between the United States and Britain guaranteeing cooperation between the two countries in a future Canal.

Foreigners trekking through Panama in 1849

Due to the massive migration brought by the California Gold Rush

Panama Railroad builders

New York investors from the Pacific Mail Steamship Company PMSC

First yellow fever epidemics in Panama

Two major outbreaks occurred in 1853 and 1855 during the railroad era.

Mass Chinese worker suicides, when and why

In 1854, due to poor working conditions and diseases

Estimated death toll of Panama Railroad construction

Approximately 6,000 workers died during its construction.

Advantages of the Panama Railroad

Faster cross-isthmus travel, boosted commerce, and easier movement of people and cargo.

Value of Gold that crossed Panama from California in 1855

$29 million dollars of 1855

Causes of the 1850s economic depression in Panama

Once the railroad was completed, the railroad workers became unemployed, and the previous transit road and its secondary places went out of business

William Walker Band and Panama

It was a mercenary group who had a “slave state” in Nicaragua. They would kidnap black Panamanians to take over there.