Panama Canal Cruises and Information.

US Involvement with the Panama Canal

The United States had long been interested in a Central American canal, to link its east and west coasts and expand trade. However, it did not have the money or the will to build one before 1900. During the 1890s Congress appropriated money to begin work on a canal in Nicaragua, but the project was soon cancelled.

The Spanish-American War in 1898 heightened military interest in a canal. After defeating Spain, the United States acquired the Philippines and Puerto Rico and wanted better access for its navy to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. American officials negotiated the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty with Britain in 1901, in which the two countries agreed that the United States alone could build and regulate a canal.

The canal issue reached a critical point in 1902 and 1903. In a complex series of events, Congress and President Theodore Roosevelt decided on Panama over Nicaragua and negotiated a treaty with Colombia. Under the agreement, the United States would obtain a strip of land across the isthmus and build a canal. But Colombia’s senate rejected the treaty. Panamanians feared the United States would build a canal in Nicaragua instead, so they took matters into their own hands. A group of Panamanians conspired with agents of the French company and the Panama Railroad to rebel against Colombian rule and declared Panama independent on November 3, 1903. The United States supported the revolt and used its navy to prevent Colombia from defeating the rebels.

Two weeks later Panama signed a treaty with the United States giving permission for the canal project. The Panamanians had authorized Philippe Bunau-Varilla, a French citizen and longtime official of the French canal company, to negotiate the terms and sign the agreement. Bunau-Varilla gave the United States even more than it had asked for: a perpetual lease on a section of central Panama 16 km (10 mi) wide, where the canal would be built; the right to take over more Panamanian land if needed; and the right to use troops to intervene in Panama. The United States agreed to guarantee Panama’s independence and pay $10 million, plus an annual fee of $250,000. In exchange for their independence, then, Panamanians were forced to accept the treaty, which no Panamanian ever signed, that virtually gave away the canal zone to the United States.

Cruise Agency Specializing in Cruises through the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal cruises have become one of the most popular ways to visit the Panama Canal. Cruises feature great food, entertainment, interesting ports of call and fascinating tours of canal and history leading up to its completion. There are a number of different cruises and itineraries for the Panama Canal offered by most of the major lines.

• Carnival Cruises

• Princess Cruises

• Norwegian Cruises

  Panama Canal Cruises