Term Paper: The Building of Panama Canal

Sample Term Paper

Words 1,430

This term paper discusses the building of Panama Canal. The building of the Panama Canal is a story of human perseverance. It is not only a great lesson in history, but also the final realization of a four century old dream. Huge obstacles encountered in its construction.

The building of the Panama Canal is a story of human perseverance. It is not only a great lesson in history, but also the final realization of a four century old dream. Huge obstacles encountered in its construction. The tremendous challenges faced, and the ingenuity of the human mind in facing and overcoming these challenges will be the central theme of my paper. I believe that the realization of the dream of the Panama Canal is an example of man’s efforts to control nature.
Introduction

Panama Canal is a waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama. This Canal was finally constructed in the early twentieth century but, the idea was conceived way back in the early 16^th century. It was in 1524, when the advisers of Charles V suggested the idea of cutting out a piece of land through the isthmus in order speed up trade and transport. At that point in history, Spanish traders bringing gold from Peru, Ecuador and Asia had to take long and tortuous routes through the oceans. The idea of building a canal was very exciting for them. However, this was also a time when Europe was embroiled in wars, hence the idea never materialized and the project was kept aside.

It was in the nineteenth century that the Spanish government once more became interested in the project. “In 1819 the Spanish government formally authorized the construction of a canal and the creation of a company to build it”. (The Panama Canal)

Surveys showed that either a route through Nicaragua or through Panama could be successful. Initially an international company and later Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, the builder of the Suez Canal, took over the project. It was after the discovery of gold in California that America became interested in the project.

Kindly order custom made Essays, Term Papers, Research Papers, Thesis, Dissertation, Assignment, Book Reports, Reviews, Presentations, Projects, Case Studies, Coursework, Homework, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking, on the essay topic by clicking on the order page.