Dan Snow's History Hit: The Panama Canal
Episode Release Date: January 24, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, host Dan Snow delves deep into the intricate history of the Panama Canal, a monumental engineering feat that reshaped global trade and geopolitics. Joined by Professor Julie Greene, a renowned historian specializing in United States transnational and global labor and immigration at the University of Maryland, the discussion explores the canal's inception, construction, and enduring legacy. Professor Greene is also the author of Canal Making America's Empire at the Panama Canal, providing her with profound insights into this pivotal chapter of American and Panamanian history.

Historical Background

Early Visions and Francis Drake's Influence

Dan Snow begins by tracing the idea of the Panama Canal back to the 16th century, highlighting the strategic importance of the Isthmus of Panama. He recounts how Francis Drake, an English privateer, recognized the Isthmus's potential after observing the Pacific Ocean for the first time in years. At [07:13], Professor Greene elaborates:

"The idea of building a canal goes back centuries because until we had that, ships had to go all the way down through the Cape Horn or the Drake Passage at the tip of South America. So from the 16th century onwards, people realized that if they could build a canal, they'd be able to cut the distance by roughly 8,000 miles and save weeks and weeks of travel."

The French Endeavor: De Lesseps and the Failed Attempt

The conversation shifts to the late 19th century, focusing on Ferdinand de Lesseps, the visionary behind the Suez Canal, who spearheaded the French attempt to construct the Panama Canal. At [09:33], Dan Snow probes into the reasons behind the French failure:

"He thought he knew what he was doing, but for some reason, the jungles of Panama were just too much."

Professor Greene responds at [09:59]:

"The French failed for so many different reasons. De Lesseps himself, by the time he tackled the canal in Panama, was a rather aged man. He actually did not have much of a hands-on role. Disease was a huge problem. The French really did not understand the cause of malaria and yellow fever. They thought it was caused by bad air, not by mosquitoes. So they just took no measures."

This lack of understanding led to catastrophic outcomes, with an estimated 22,000 deaths during the French attempt, primarily due to disease and harsh working conditions.

American Involvement: The Roosevelt Era

Motivations Behind the Canal

At [12:41], Professor Greene discusses Theodore Roosevelt's multifaceted motivations for pursuing the Panama Canal:

"Theodore Roosevelt was an extremely ambitious man. He wanted above all to prove that America was a global power. This was for him something about national pride. It was also a kind of a masculinist thing. We needed to take our rightful place."

Roosevelt saw the canal as both a means to enhance American prestige and to assert the United States as a dominant force on the world stage.

Uneasy Alliances and the Treaty of 1903

The episode delves into the controversial methods employed by the United States to secure the Canal Zone. At [13:02], Professor Greene explains:

"The very origins of the US Canal project is mired in a pretty unethical and imperialistic land grab. It meant that the Republic of Panama had completely lost its sovereignty, had lost control over the heart of its own country."

Roosevelt's administration supported Panamanian rebels to secure independence from Colombia, swiftly negotiating the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty that granted the U.S. exclusive control over the Canal Zone. This move was met with international criticism and sparked debates about American imperialism.

Construction of the Canal

Engineering Marvel and Labor Management

At [17:19], Professor Greene praises the engineering achievements:

"It was a spectacular project. The Panama Canal Zone becomes not only one of the most industrialized regions in the world...it does become very innovative, medically, scientifically, technologically."

However, this progress was underpinned by a stark system of racial segregation known as the "silver and gold" system. As Dan Snow inquires at [21:44] about worker conditions, Professor Greene responds:

"The canal was, in terms of labor management, the so-called silver and gold system. The white skilled workers...were paid in gold. The Afro Caribbean, the silver workers, were paid very little...they were exposed to the most difficult work..."

This disparity led to harsh living and working conditions for Afro-Caribbean laborers, with high mortality rates due to accidents and diseases like malaria. At [24:03], Professor Greene notes:

"The official U.S. estimate is 5,600 people killed during its construction effort...most of that was deaths of the Caribbean workers."

Engineering Solutions: Locks and Gatun Lake

The episode highlights the innovative engineering solutions that made the canal possible. At [19:54], Professor Greene explains:

"Locks at both ends of the canal raised the ships up, have them move through Gatun Lake, which is a human-made lake...then lower them down through locks to the other side of the canal."

This system allowed massive ships to traverse the varying elevations of the Isthmus, showcasing early 20th-century engineering prowess.

Effects and Legacy

Impact on Global Trade and U.S. Geopolitics

Completed in 1914, the Panama Canal revolutionized global trade by significantly reducing travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At [26:07], Professor Greene asserts:

"It certainly revolutionized global trade...it absolutely did ensure that The United States would be seen as an important global power over the decades."

However, despite these advantages, the canal did not generate the immense economic returns the U.S. had anticipated and faced persistent safety and maintenance challenges.

Transition to Panamanian Control

The episode chronicles the gradual shift of control from the U.S. to Panama, culminating in the Carter-Torrijos Treaty of 1977. At [27:14], the discussion covers the bipartisan consensus in the U.S. elite for transferring the canal. Professor Greene notes:

"Panama, with overwhelming support from its population, created a special tax to build an expansion of the canal...the Panama Canal has become a very important symbol of national pride in Panama and a big part of its economic success."

Under Panamanian management, the canal has thrived, with improved safety records and successful expansions to accommodate larger vessels.

Symbolism and Political Resonance

The Panama Canal remains a potent symbol of American engineering and imperial ambition. At [29:32], Professor Greene discusses how Ronald Reagan leveraged this symbolism during his campaign:

"The mythology was so powerful that Reagan was able to tap into it."

Furthermore, the episode draws parallels to contemporary political rhetoric, particularly President Donald Trump's recent remarks about reacquiring the canal. Professor Greene speculates that such discussions stem from a blend of historical symbolism and modern geopolitical anxieties, including concerns over China's influence in the region.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Dan Snow emphasizes the enduring significance of the Panama Canal in both historical and modern contexts. Professor Julie Greene provides a nuanced perspective on how the canal's legacy intertwines with themes of imperialism, engineering innovation, and national identity. The episode serves as a comprehensive exploration of the Panama Canal's profound impact on world history and its lasting emblematic value.

Notable Quotes

1. Professor Julie Greene at [07:13]:

   "The idea of building a canal goes back centuries because until we had that, ships had to go all the way down through the Cape Horn or the Drake Passage at the tip of South America. So from the 16th century onwards, people realized that if they could build a canal, they'd be able to cut the distance by roughly 8,000 miles and save weeks and weeks of travel."

2. Professor Julie Greene at [09:59]:

   "The French failed for so many different reasons. De Lesseps himself, by the time he tackled the canal in Panama, was a rather aged man. He actually did not have much of a hands-on role. Disease was a huge problem. The French really did not understand the cause of malaria and yellow fever. They thought it was caused by bad air, not by mosquitoes. So they just took no measures."

3. Professor Julie Greene at [12:41]:

   "Theodore Roosevelt was an extremely ambitious man. He wanted above all to prove that America was a global power. This was for him something about national pride. It was also a kind of a masculinist thing. We needed to take our rightful place."

4. Professor Julie Greene at [21:57]:

   "The canal was, in terms of labor management, the so-called silver and gold system. The white skilled workers...were paid in gold. The Afro Caribbean, the silver workers, were paid very little...they were exposed to the most difficult work..."

5. Professor Julie Greene at [24:03]:

   "The official U.S. estimate is 5,600 people killed during its construction effort...most of that was deaths of the Caribbean workers."

6. Professor Julie Greene at [29:32]:

   "The mythology was so powerful that Reagan was able to tap into it."

Additional Insights

• Ethical Implications: The episode does not shy away from addressing the ethical dimensions of the Panama Canal's construction, particularly the exploitation and marginalization of Afro-Caribbean laborers.

• Geopolitical Shifts: The strategic importance of the canal continues to influence international relations, as seen in contemporary discussions about control and influence in the region.

• Engineering Feats: The successful completion of the canal under U.S. administration stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering capabilities, despite significant human costs.

For those intrigued by this comprehensive exploration of the Panama Canal's history, be sure to subscribe to Dan Snow's History Hit for more in-depth episodes uncovering the pivotal moments that have shaped our world.