The Obstacle to Roosevelt's Panama Canal Plan

Who tried to stand in Roosevelt’s way when he began construction of the Panama Canal?

a) France
b) Great Britain
c) Colombia
d) Spain

Final answer:

Colombia attempted to stand in Roosevelt’s way during the construction of the Panama Canal due to dissatisfaction with the treaty terms, leading Roosevelt to support Panama's independence.

Explanation:

The party that attempted to stand in President Theodore Roosevelt’s way when he began construction of the Panama Canal was Colombia. At the time, the region that is now Panama was a part of Colombia. Roosevelt was eager to see the construction of the canal for strategic military reasons and international trade.

However, the Colombian Senate rejected the treaty that would have allowed the United States to lease the land for the canal, considering the payment offered as insufficient. In response to this rejection and to avoid delays, Roosevelt supported a Panamanian revolution, which led to Panama's independence. The United States then immediately recognized Panama as a sovereign nation and negotiated the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which provided the rights required to proceed with the canal construction.