Invasion of panama essays

Invasion of panama essays Operation Just Cause: The Truth Behind the Invasion of Panama. In 1501 Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas, sailing west from Venezuela, was the first European to reach the Isthmus of Panama. The Spanish King Ferdinand V saw in Panama a country filled with prospects and resources for years to come. At that early stage, Panama soon became a vital part of world commerce with the creation of the Royal Road or Camino Real. Through this important path, trading became much more efficient as they were able to cross from one ocean to the other at a much faster pace (Speller 26). Panama still is a vital country for commerce around the world, and a highly important country for the new empire, the United States. Having the same idea in mind, almost 4 centuries later, the United States improved on the Royal Road. Only this time it was not a road, it was a waterway. At the end of the 19th century, the United States began construction of the most important and vital waterway in the world, the Panama Canal. Through the Panama Canal, the world once again was able to connect The Pacific and The Atlantic Ocean, in a way that would benefit all. It was then, that the United States became deeply involved in Panama, both diplomatically and physically. Diplomatically, because their relations with the Panamanian government intensified, and physically because after the construction of the Panama Canal, and a new but somewhat biased treaty, they were allowed to move in to Panama and gain control of the land surrounding the panama Canal, known was the Panama Canal Zone (Speller 33). Now, the United States was not protecting a vital but separate country, they were protecting their own. As one book clearly states no property of the United States is of greater economic importance than the Panama Canal. (Speller 1). Soon, any threat to the Canal was a threat not only to Panama but also to the United States, and this became their primary excuse. They ...