Question

Why did Roosevelt become involved in the Panamanian rebellion against Colombia?

to show american might in latin america
to ensure the panama canal would be built
to limit colombias power

Answer 1

The primary reason Roosevelt became involved in the Panamanian rebellion against Colombia was **to ensure the Panama Canal would be built**. Roosevelt recognized the canal's strategic and economic significance for facilitating maritime trade and military movement between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Colombian government was not moving forward with the canal project, prompting Roosevelt to support Panama's independence movement in 1903, which ultimately led to the construction of the canal. While demonstrating American influence and limiting Colombian power were factors, the primary motivation was the canal project itself.