Which U.S President took on the task of building the Panama Canal?

Answer 1

One of the best presidents ever, Theodore Roosevelt. They originally refused to allow the U.S. to build it, but Teddy's "Big Stick" policy quickly changed thier minds. He deployed U.S. war ships on the cost of Panama until they changed saw things teddy's way. I believe a few years ago, Panama took full control of it as promised by the U.S.

Answer 2

T.R. managed the Colombian Revo that made Panama independent. As he later boasted, "I took Panama." Building the canal went on through several presidency's. Taft and Wilson were in office before it was completed. A French company under the direction of de Lesseps (can't remember the spelling) had started it in the early 1880's. He was the engineer who built the Suez Canal (opened in 1870), but the tropical jungles of Panama and his age were too much for him. The financing of this project resulted in a huge scandal in France where the govt. was as corrupt as our own congress now. Malaria and yellow fever was a great enemies as the terrain.

The politics and diplomacy leading up to the effort to build the actual canal are more interesting than the "Big dig." The engineer who did most of the work was a distant relative named John Stevens (my name) and the name of our ancestor who came to Newport R.I. in 1708 from Vermont and registered as a "freeman" and as a stone cutter. His shop is still there under the same name "John Stevens" I believe they make grave markers.

Answer 3

Teddy Roosevelt

Answer 4

Theodore Roosevelt

Answer 5

Roosevelt