Empire Podcast Episode 277: "America Drills Through Hell’s Gorge (Part 5)" Summary

Release Date: July 30, 2025

In Episode 277 of the Empire podcast, hosted by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple, accompanied by author Matthew Parker, the intricate narrative of the American role in the construction of the Panama Canal is meticulously explored. This episode delves into the political maneuvers, public health challenges, labor exploitation, and the lasting global impacts of American imperialism.

1. American Intervention and Panama's Independence

The episode opens with a discussion on the United States' strategic efforts to secure Panama's independence from Colombia to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. Matthew Parker introduces the pivotal role of Manuel Amador, a leader of the Panamanian independence movement, who sought American assistance to achieve sovereignty.

Notable Quote:

• William Drimple [03:21]: "But if America joins in, this can just get rid of that whole Colombian issue and create a small, easily dominated Central American state that America can lord over and get its way with."

Amador's collaboration with key American figures like William Cromwell and Buno Varilla illustrates the lengths to which the U.S. was willing to go to establish control over the canal's construction.

2. The Orchestrated Revolution

The narrative progresses to detail the orchestrated revolution that led to Panama's swift independence. The U.S. manipulated political circumstances to ensure a favorable outcome.

Notable Quote:

• William Drimple [06:02]: "It's just so, you know, there are some wobbles. There are some wobbles because you've still got these 500 soldiers and a colonel in Colon and the revolution is announced in Panama City and they need the money."

The episode highlights how American influence ensured the success of the Panamanian revolution, effectively sidelining Colombian interests and establishing a pro-American government.

3. The Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty and Its Controversies

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the signing of the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty in 1903, which granted the U.S. extensive rights over the Canal Zone.

Notable Quote:

• Matthew Parker [09:35]: “So his inky fingers have left the paper, which is actually known as the Hay Bunau Varilla treaty of 1903. And the provisions of that treaty are that the United States would pay Panama up to $10 million and an annual fee of a quarter of a million dollars for the right to a Canal Zone 5 miles either side of the canal route."

The treaty's exclusion of Panamanian voices and its disproportionate benefits to the U.S. sparked significant controversy, both domestically within Colombia and internationally, highlighting the blatant power imbalance inherent in imperialistic endeavors.

4. Labor Exploitation and Racial Segregation

The construction of the Panama Canal was marred by severe labor exploitation, particularly of West Indian workers. The podcast delves into the dual-tiered labor system established by the Americans, segregating workers into "gold" (skilled) and "silver" (unskilled) categories, reminiscent of Jim Crow laws in the southern United States.

Notable Quote:

• William Drimple [28:43]: “Yes, I mean, it becomes something like a sort of euphemism for the sort of Jim Crow segregation, which of course was sweeping across southern United States."

The episode underscores the harsh working conditions, inadequate medical care, and systemic racism that led to the deaths of over 5,000 West Indian workers, compared to a mere 350 American fatalities.

5. Combating Yellow Fever: The Heroism of William Gorgas

A pivotal segment highlights the battle against yellow fever, a major impediment to the canal's construction. William Gorgas, an American physician, emerges as a hero who implemented groundbreaking public health measures to eradicate the disease.

Notable Quote:

• William Drimple [23:08]: “He’s absolutely the right person to do this also. He orders in some real state of the art equipment...”

Despite initial resistance from the American commission and political hurdles, Gorgas's relentless efforts led to the successful suppression of yellow fever, safeguarding the lives of countless workers and ensuring the project's continuation.

6. The Completion of the Panama Canal and Its Global Impact

The episode culminates with the triumphant completion of the Panama Canal in 1914, symbolizing American engineering prowess and imperial ambition.

Notable Quote:

• William Drimple [35:11]: “It was the beginning of the American century.”

The canal's opening coincided with the onset of World War I, positioning the U.S. as a pivotal global power. However, the episode also reflects on the long-term ramifications of the canal's construction, including strained U.S.-Latin American relations and the eventual relinquishment of control in the late 20th century.

7. Legacy and Reflection on American Imperialism

In the concluding sections, the hosts and Matthew Parker reflect on the legacy of American actions in Panama, drawing parallels to modern imperialistic tendencies and questioning the ethical implications of such endeavors.

Notable Quote:

• Matthew Parker [37:22]: “This is the moment and the American century. You know, this powerful superiority continues...”

The discussion also touches upon the political fallout in the U.S., including the contentious treaties and the evolving perception of American imperialism from the 1970s onward.

Conclusion

Episode 277 of Empire provides a comprehensive exploration of the American-driven construction of the Panama Canal, highlighting the complexities of imperial ambition, the human cost of such endeavors, and the enduring impacts on global geopolitics. Through detailed analysis and poignant narratives, the podcast invites listeners to critically assess the historical forces that continue to shape our world today.

Notable Speakers:

• Anita Anand – Host
• William Dalrymple – Host
• Matthew Parker – Author of Hell's Gorge

Timestamps Referenced:

• Introductory Ads: [00:00] - [01:44]
• Main Content: [01:44] - [42:25]
• Concluding Ads: [42:25] - [44:16]

Note: Sections with advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.