Why did the US give up the Panama Canal? Documentary
video description
Date: 2022-07-19
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
Angel
The USA had agree to return it to Panama canal in exchange for exactly nothing.
This video, even though it explains many historical facts misses the most important point: The US returned the Panama canal BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER THEIRS! This issue was important in Latin America because the US took over a Colombian territory and created the Republic of Panama, a country that became a de facto American colony. So, did the Panama just became a free and democratic country after her independence? FUN FACT, NO.
Actually, the US forced Panama to give up the Canal zone and this meant the Panamanians needed to pass through US held territory to travel within their own country and also Panamanians were treated in the zone as second class citizens by the US troops and the Americans living there, which gives you an idea of how absurd was this situation.
And, if that wasn't enough, the US military was occupying the best part of Panama's territory, the area that could become a logistic and industrial hub for hundreds if not thousands of companies due to it's importance for world.
All this means that Panama was barely seen any benefits from the Canal and probably the downs sides (foreign occupation, colonization and been treated as second class citizens) surpassed the benefits.
Is no wonder why after the US troops started the withdrawal from the Canal Panama became the fastest growing economy of Latin America growing at a pace similar to that of China. That's by no means a coincidence.
reply
The USA had agree to return it to Panama canal in exchange for exactly nothing.
This video, even though it explains many historical facts misses the most important point: The US returned the Panama canal BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER THEIRS! This issue was important in Latin America because the US took over a Colombian territory and created the Republic of Panama, a country that became a de facto American colony. So, did the Panama just became a free and democratic country after her independence? FUN FACT, NO.
Actually, the US forced Panama to give up the Canal zone and this meant the Panamanians needed to pass through US held territory to travel within their own country and also Panamanians were treated in the zone as second class citizens by the US troops and the Americans living there, which gives you an idea of how absurd was this situation.
And, if that wasn't enough, the US military was occupying the best part of Panama's territory, the area that could become a logistic and industrial hub for hundreds if not thousands of companies due to it's importance for world.
All this means that Panama was barely seen any benefits from the Canal and probably the downs sides (foreign occupation, colonization and been treated as second class citizens) surpassed the benefits.
Is no wonder why after the US troops started the withdrawal from the Canal Panama became the fastest growing economy of Latin America growing at a pace similar to that of China. That's by no means a coincidence.
reply
LazySleestack
I was 10 when Carter signed this treaty and I remember a lot of people being seriously upset about us just giving away something that was ours. But one serious element you did not even mention was that the canal zone was thousands of miles from mainland US and surrounded by another country. Its operation was pretty fragile and if we refused to return the canal and that relationship soured all bets would be off. The government of Panama at the time was selling the idea of canal ownership as a panacea for all of the countries ills. If they had ownership it would make everyone in the country rich and all their problems would be gone.
Add to all that the fact that by the mid 70s the size of ships had grown to the point that most of the larger war and commercial vessels could not use it unless a VERY expensive upgrade was performed, making its operation not nearly as profitable as it once was. If we handed over the canal then that upgrading would have to be done by the gov. of Panama and would likely be done by US firms. Because, you know, we handed over the canal.
reply
I was 10 when Carter signed this treaty and I remember a lot of people being seriously upset about us just giving away something that was ours. But one serious element you did not even mention was that the canal zone was thousands of miles from mainland US and surrounded by another country. Its operation was pretty fragile and if we refused to return the canal and that relationship soured all bets would be off. The government of Panama at the time was selling the idea of canal ownership as a panacea for all of the countries ills. If they had ownership it would make everyone in the country rich and all their problems would be gone.
Add to all that the fact that by the mid 70s the size of ships had grown to the point that most of the larger war and commercial vessels could not use it unless a VERY expensive upgrade was performed, making its operation not nearly as profitable as it once was. If we handed over the canal then that upgrading would have to be done by the gov. of Panama and would likely be done by US firms. Because, you know, we handed over the canal.
reply
Britt
Uh, you forgot the part where the USA bought the land, paid for all the work, built the canal its sort of like you buy all the parts to build a house, buy the land for the house to be built on, then build the house, use it and properly maintain it, then, after a while. GIVE IT back to the person you bought it from.
Everyone always calls the USA imperialist, nothing is goi g to stop that. Argentina says the USA is imperialist when they are trying to invade the Falklands, which the residents of, British folk, 600 miles offshore fromArgentina, had no, zero, desire to be Argentine. Venezuela calls the USA imperialist, and spends their country into debt preparing for an invasion that never comes I could go on bottom line, bottom line, we bought it, we paid for it, we built it and now weve given it away. Awesome. No, I we didnt get any good will for giving it away either.
reply
Uh, you forgot the part where the USA bought the land, paid for all the work, built the canal its sort of like you buy all the parts to build a house, buy the land for the house to be built on, then build the house, use it and properly maintain it, then, after a while. GIVE IT back to the person you bought it from.
Everyone always calls the USA imperialist, nothing is goi g to stop that. Argentina says the USA is imperialist when they are trying to invade the Falklands, which the residents of, British folk, 600 miles offshore fromArgentina, had no, zero, desire to be Argentine. Venezuela calls the USA imperialist, and spends their country into debt preparing for an invasion that never comes I could go on bottom line, bottom line, we bought it, we paid for it, we built it and now weve given it away. Awesome. No, I we didnt get any good will for giving it away either.
reply
Miosz
Little known fact, is that during the negotiations between President Carter and the commander of the Panamian National Guard, Torrijos, there was a brief pause. Both parties were going nowhere with negotiating, simply sticking to their respective positions, and so a break was needed to consult the ultimate authority on the matter. During that break, James Bissonette took the time from his busy schedule to reconcile the two parties, offering them vast amounts of money. The US was happy with this since they like money, and the Panama revolutionaries didn't object, because they also liked money. And thus, the Torrijos-Carter treaty was born.
reply
Little known fact, is that during the negotiations between President Carter and the commander of the Panamian National Guard, Torrijos, there was a brief pause. Both parties were going nowhere with negotiating, simply sticking to their respective positions, and so a break was needed to consult the ultimate authority on the matter. During that break, James Bissonette took the time from his busy schedule to reconcile the two parties, offering them vast amounts of money. The US was happy with this since they like money, and the Panama revolutionaries didn't object, because they also liked money. And thus, the Torrijos-Carter treaty was born.
reply
Thomas
Not true. The US never made money from transit fees for the Canal. All the money made prior to 1977 was used to fund and maintain the Canal. Only in 1977 with the treaty did the Canal make a profit and all of the profit went to the Panamanian government. The lack of any profit combined with the billions spent to defend it lowered its value to the US. Add in that by that time no aircraft carrier could use it and the $10 billion price tag (in 1977 $) to expand the Canal made ownership of the Canal a liability, it only made sense to return it to Panama
reply
Not true. The US never made money from transit fees for the Canal. All the money made prior to 1977 was used to fund and maintain the Canal. Only in 1977 with the treaty did the Canal make a profit and all of the profit went to the Panamanian government. The lack of any profit combined with the billions spent to defend it lowered its value to the US. Add in that by that time no aircraft carrier could use it and the $10 billion price tag (in 1977 $) to expand the Canal made ownership of the Canal a liability, it only made sense to return it to Panama
reply
Mencken
Following Panamanian independence, the Colombian government sent diplomats to Washington to basically beg for whatever deal they could get. Because not only were they going to lose all money associated with the canal they would also lose the annual payments they got for operating a railway line which was the only way across at the time, which was a huge part of their annual budget. WW paid reparations to Colombia during his presidency, best thing he did though TR was pissed.
reply
Following Panamanian independence, the Colombian government sent diplomats to Washington to basically beg for whatever deal they could get. Because not only were they going to lose all money associated with the canal they would also lose the annual payments they got for operating a railway line which was the only way across at the time, which was a huge part of their annual budget. WW paid reparations to Colombia during his presidency, best thing he did though TR was pissed.
reply
Jebrem
for all intents and purposes, panama more rightfully belonged to the Americans than Panamanians, since they voluntarily gave it up in order for backing. And it was the Americans that built it. Although if you ask me it was wrong in the first place for the US govt to force American citizens to pay for the canal. What did they get in return? Nothing, a whole bunch of taxes, and more people around the world hating them. Govt messes up people's lives in every way possible
reply
for all intents and purposes, panama more rightfully belonged to the Americans than Panamanians, since they voluntarily gave it up in order for backing. And it was the Americans that built it. Although if you ask me it was wrong in the first place for the US govt to force American citizens to pay for the canal. What did they get in return? Nothing, a whole bunch of taxes, and more people around the world hating them. Govt messes up people's lives in every way possible
reply
Lisa
My own- study- of this had me yelling the US didn't have any RIGHT to the canal (having strong armed the revolutionaries into relying on US support in exchange for it) but yeah. I guess that still doesn't obligate the US to give it back.
It was interesting to learn Carter's motivation to return it. I didn't know the USSR would've made a canal
thru Nicaragua (though, it checks. JFK have the Alliance for? smth as part of containment to keep communism from LatAm.
reply
My own- study- of this had me yelling the US didn't have any RIGHT to the canal (having strong armed the revolutionaries into relying on US support in exchange for it) but yeah. I guess that still doesn't obligate the US to give it back.
It was interesting to learn Carter's motivation to return it. I didn't know the USSR would've made a canal
thru Nicaragua (though, it checks. JFK have the Alliance for? smth as part of containment to keep communism from LatAm.
reply
Sebastian
The Panamanian rebellion was part of a larger civil war at the time. The 1000 days war.
There were a lot of liberals, which were the revolting faction in Panama and when the central government was pushing north, Panama declared independence.
And about time. The Darien gap made it very difficult for the centralist conservative government in Bogota to control Panama in any meaningful way
reply
The Panamanian rebellion was part of a larger civil war at the time. The 1000 days war.
There were a lot of liberals, which were the revolting faction in Panama and when the central government was pushing north, Panama declared independence.
And about time. The Darien gap made it very difficult for the centralist conservative government in Bogota to control Panama in any meaningful way
reply
DJ
The transit fee did not make the government a lot of money. They were basically doing at cost, the price increased after Panama took over. You also completely ignored conflicts in Panama between them and the US that resulted in the US giving in and agreeing to give up the canal.
Now I wonder how many of your other videos have misleading information.
reply
The transit fee did not make the government a lot of money. They were basically doing at cost, the price increased after Panama took over. You also completely ignored conflicts in Panama between them and the US that resulted in the US giving in and agreeing to give up the canal.
Now I wonder how many of your other videos have misleading information.
reply
Dat
You know this could've been a more benifical thing over all if Carter wasn't a huge pussy for his entire term. Carter believed in too much of appeasing your enemies, so even if in the end what he did was right, I highly doubt it will be looked that way due to rest of his track record of his 4 years in office
reply
You know this could've been a more benifical thing over all if Carter wasn't a huge pussy for his entire term. Carter believed in too much of appeasing your enemies, so even if in the end what he did was right, I highly doubt it will be looked that way due to rest of his track record of his 4 years in office
reply
MaztaPan
Lots of missing pieces here. Not a single word about how the french initially mismanaged their project, how they kinda gave the rights to the US without ever checking with Panama. Not a mention of 'Omar Torrijos' (the treaty that signed off the canal had his name on it, and his 1968 putsch.
reply
Lots of missing pieces here. Not a single word about how the french initially mismanaged their project, how they kinda gave the rights to the US without ever checking with Panama. Not a mention of 'Omar Torrijos' (the treaty that signed off the canal had his name on it, and his 1968 putsch.
reply
Jennifer
The Canal is wonderful but the rest of Panama is a $hithole. Do you want to drive a car to South America? You can't, there isn't a decent road there, and there are so many criminals there it is too much of a risk just to be there.
reply
The Canal is wonderful but the rest of Panama is a $hithole. Do you want to drive a car to South America? You can't, there isn't a decent road there, and there are so many criminals there it is too much of a risk just to be there.
reply
Salty
Carter gave away the canal for nothing. Clinton gave satellite launching technology to North Korea. Obama gave pallets of cash to the Iranians. Biden gave the Taliban $7 billion of military equipment. I think I see a pattern.
reply
Carter gave away the canal for nothing. Clinton gave satellite launching technology to North Korea. Obama gave pallets of cash to the Iranians. Biden gave the Taliban $7 billion of military equipment. I think I see a pattern.
reply
Millard
The U. S. had been plundering South American for years under the Monroe doctrine, Teddy admitted Panama was a straight up Bogart, a protectoratewhere you can operate outside the Laws of the U. S. government.
reply
The U. S. had been plundering South American for years under the Monroe doctrine, Teddy admitted Panama was a straight up Bogart, a protectoratewhere you can operate outside the Laws of the U. S. government.
reply
Joe
Giving the canal zone back to the Panamanians
was one of the few good things the US government
has done since 1946. Carter was the best president
between the Coolidge administration and today.
reply
Giving the canal zone back to the Panamanians
was one of the few good things the US government
has done since 1946. Carter was the best president
between the Coolidge administration and today.
reply
SkyAyakashi
Not to mention that the largest aircraft carriers that the US had at this point could not go through the canal anyways, so it was relatively less important for them to have canal control
reply
Not to mention that the largest aircraft carriers that the US had at this point could not go through the canal anyways, so it was relatively less important for them to have canal control
reply
Quantum
Carter should have held onto the canal and waited for the Soviets to start building in Nicaragua. Then once they've sunk a bunch of capital into starting the project, open the canal up.
reply
Carter should have held onto the canal and waited for the Soviets to start building in Nicaragua. Then once they've sunk a bunch of capital into starting the project, open the canal up.
reply
Robert
It was one of the many terrible things Jimmy Carter ever did. Before Creepy Hair Sniffing Uncle Joe Biden was elected, Jimmy Carter was labeled as the worst President in history.
reply
It was one of the many terrible things Jimmy Carter ever did. Before Creepy Hair Sniffing Uncle Joe Biden was elected, Jimmy Carter was labeled as the worst President in history.
reply
JSB103
The US hasn't given up anything. If it went through the motions of handing over the canal operations to the Panamenians, it will not give up control of their politics.
reply
The US hasn't given up anything. If it went through the motions of handing over the canal operations to the Panamenians, it will not give up control of their politics.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
