How did the United States secure the rights to build a canal through Panama?

Answer 1

In 1899 the US Congress created an Isthmian Canal Commission to examine the possibilities of a Central American canal and to recommend a route. The commission first decided on a route through Nicaragua, but later reversed its decision. The Lesseps company offered its assets to the United States at a price of $40 million. The United States and the new state of Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty, by which the United States guaranteed the independence of Panama and secured a perpetual lease on a 10-mile strip for the canal. Panama was to be compensated by an initial payment of $10 million and an annuity of $250,000, beginning in 1913. This strip is now known as the Canal Zone.

Answer 2

The short answer is by a treaty called the Hay - Buneu-Varilla Treaty of 1903 that granted the rights to build the canal and it also gave the US the soverign rights on the land 5 miles to each side of the canal (except the cities of Colon and Panama).

The long answer you can read about it in Wikipedia or you can also pick up a book called The Path Between the Seas, and read a bit more about how the Canal was built.

Answer 3

As I recall, the US instigated a revolt in Panama, which was then part of Columbia, and signed a treaty with the new government, allowing construction of the canal.

Answer 4

i agree with willie cruz´s suggestion on checking out the david macollough book the path between two seas.. it is probably the best book written on the subject.