More or Less: Behind the Stats
Did 35,000 Americans die building the Panama Canal?
Sep 11, 2023
Matthew Parker, author of Hell's Gorge: The Battle to Build the Panama Canal, joins Tim Harford to investigate the claim made by Donald Trump that 35,000 Americans died during the construction of the canal. They discuss the challenges faced by the French during their failed attempt, the hazardous conditions and diseases workers encountered, and the tragic stories of those involved. The episode uncovers the complex history behind the casualties and explores the lasting impact of the Panama Canal.
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Quick takeaways
- Approximately 25,000 French workers died during the failed attempt to build the Panama Canal due to various challenges including diseases spread by mosquitoes.
- Only around 300 Americans died during the construction of the Panama Canal, with the majority of deaths being non-American workers from countries such as France, Jamaica, and Central America.
Deep dives
The French attempt to build the Panama Canal was a disaster
The French attempted to build a sea-level canal like the Suez Canal in the 1880s. However, political instability, earthquakes, floods, and fires plagued the project. The mosquito, spreading diseases like malaria and yellow fever, had a devastating effect on the French workforce, leading to an estimated death toll of 25,000.
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