Panama has had a stormy history. In the 1500s, the land was conquered by Spain. The Indigenous (Native) Panamanians were nearly destroyed by disease. By slavery. And by war.
Later, Panama became part of Colombia, a country in South America. Colombia refused to let the United States build a canal across Panama. A revolution followed. President Theodore Roosevelt ordered U.S. sailors to help the revolutionaries. The 1903 revolution freed Panama from Colombia. The new country permitted the United States to build the canal.
Many people in Panama thought the treaty to build the canal gave an unfair advantage to the United States. Why? Because the U.S. got total control over a stretch of land 10 miles wide and 50 miles long.
Others in Panama liked the U.S. presence. They believed the canal helped their economy. They also thought the U.S. protection would help them stay independent.
Whatever one’s opinion, the matter was closed on December 31, 1999. That's when the United States turned the canal over to the Republic of Panama.
