Dan Snow's History Hit
The Panama Canal
Jan 24, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Professor Julie Greene, an expert in global labor and the history of the Panama Canal, unpacks its tumultuous past. She reveals how the canal, a 50-mile waterway of immense significance, faced centuries of failed attempts before the U.S. took on the challenge in the early 1900s. The podcast highlights the horrendous conditions faced by Caribbean workers, the scandalous political maneuvering by the U.S., and the canal's lasting impact on global trade and geopolitics, including contemporary debates over its legacy.
33:32
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Quick takeaways
- The Panama Canal's construction was a monumental engineering feat but highlighted significant racial exploitation and imperialistic practices against Caribbean laborers.
- The historical attempts to construct the canal reflect broader themes of international trade, colonial ambitions, and the eventual assertion of Panamanian sovereignty.
Deep dives
The Role of Francis Drake and the Isthmus of Panama
Francis Drake's journey in 1572 highlighted the strategic significance of the isthmus of Panama for trade within the Spanish Empire. He recognized that the overland route from the Pacific to the Caribbean was crucial for transporting treasure from South America to Spain. The discovery of this pathway emerged from collaboration with Africans who had escaped Spanish captivity, as they joined forces with Drake to fight against their oppressors. This collaboration set the stage for future international trade developments that would eventually lead to the construction of the Panama Canal.
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