Panama Canal - History in the News - Resource Roundup
** Cross posted on TPS Teachers Network where I serve as a TPS Teachers Network Mentor ***
Recently there has been a ton in the news about the Panama Canal. Regardless of your politics, it is important to look at the historical record for context and evidence. Here is a roundup of resources that are from TPS Teachers network contributions, Library of Congress resources and non TPS/LOC resources.
Previous TPS Posts/TPS Consortium Resources (not a comprehensive list, but a range of topics that connect)
*** Many of these link will take you inside the TPS Teachers Network - it is free to join and a wealth of teaching resources***
From Peter Pappas - The Panama Canal, from dream to reality - Album - Make sure to read the teaching notes!
Culebra Cut, looking north between the two highest hills, Panama Canal
The seven wonders of the world acclaim the eighth! / Keppler.
From Margaret Lincoln - Albuquerque evening citizen March 30, 1906
From Julie Schaul - Aero view of the Panama Canal, looking southwest
From Tom Bober - Panama Canal: Changing Challenges 100 Years Later
Today in History: Panama Canal - from Primary Source Nexus, includes a nice timeline of events
From Kira Duke’s Album - American Imperialism Primary Source Set (pdf version)
Dee-lighted president Roosevelt has illustrated his message to congress / / Bart.
The Daily Missoulian. [volume], March 21, 1910, Morning, Image 6 - The Gateway to an Empire
Panama Canal - Image from construction
Map showing line of proposed lock canal with summit elevation at 85 feet : [Panama Canal]
From Peter DeCraene - Distances Saved By Panama Canal (album) - Direct Link
From Heather Zwanziger - 11th Grade U.S. Panama Canal/Imperialism
One day activity with
Focus Question: What role has the United States played in the construction and operation of the Panama Canal?
Unit Link: How is the construction of the Panama Canal an example of U.S. Imperialism?
Documents/Resources at LOC
After a period of joint American-Panamanian control, the canal was returned to the Panamanian government in 1999 under the terms of a treaty negotiated by President Jimmy Carter and approved by Congress. The canal is now managed and operated by the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency.
Panama Canal: Locating Collections at the Library of Congress
LOC Research Guide - Panama Canal: Topics in Chronicling America
LOC Research Guide - Panama: Hispanic Reading Room Country Guide
Panama in Revolt - The sun (New York [N.Y.]), November 4, 1903
And lastly - what we are seeing on the web
From Panama’s La Estrella De Panama -
Trump, empire and Panama (Opinion)
The Panamanian canals (Opinion)
AP News - Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
AP News - Trump, the ‘America First’ candidate, has a new preoccupation: Imperialism
NPR - Jimmy Carter gave Panama control of the canal. It's one of his most controversial achievements
From Wendy Stephens -
This online exhibition is based on the Panama Canal Centennial exhibitions that were organized by the George A. Smathers Libraries. Click here to browse the collection.
A Chinese Man, A $50 Billion Plan And A Canal To Reshape Nicaragua
Related LOC Blog Post - The Elusive Nicaragua Canal
Questions for students:
Why is the Panama Canal so important to the Western Hemisphere? Historically and today.
When is the last time that the US has entertained the idea to use force to take land from a sovereign nation?
How do the Panamanian people feel about the ideas being proposed by the incoming US government?
Historically, what made the Panama Canal so difficult to finish? What were the working conditions? How many countries (other than Panama) were involved and why?
What challenges affect the canal today? What is being done to address the challenges?
Why did the US decide to hand over control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian people? What were the opinions on either side of that decision?
