What country controlled Panama before the canal was built is a question that delves into the historical narrative of this strategic region. The answer lies in the intricate web of colonial powers and treaties that shaped the political landscape of the Americas in the 19th century.
The region that is now Panama was first colonized by the Spanish Empire in the early 16th century. For centuries, the Spanish controlled the isthmus, using it as a key transit point for the trade of goods between the New World and the Old. The strategic location of Panama made it a crucial area for the Spanish Crown, and as such, it remained under Spanish rule until the early 19th century.
However, as the 19th century unfolded, the Spanish Empire began to decline, and various Latin American countries started to seek independence. Panama, which was then a province of New Granada (now Colombia), became a focal point of political intrigue. The United States, recognizing the strategic importance of a canal across the isthmus, began to show interest in the region.
In 1821, Panama declared its independence from Spain, but it soon became part of the newly formed Republic of Gran Colombia, which included present-day Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The political situation in Gran Colombia was unstable, and Panama, in particular, was seeking autonomy from the larger nation.
The construction of the Panama Canal was a significant factor in the eventual separation of Panama from Colombia. In 1903, the United States, seeing an opportunity to build the canal and control its operation, supported a revolution in Panama. This revolution led to the declaration of Panama’s independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903. With Panama now an independent nation, the United States quickly signed a treaty with Panama, the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which granted the U.S. control over the canal zone for a period of 99 years.
In summary, before the canal was built, Panama was controlled by the Spanish Empire during the colonial period, and later by the Republic of Gran Colombia following the independence of the region from Spain. The strategic significance of the isthmus and the desire of the United States to control the canal ultimately led to Panama’s separation from Colombia and the establishment of the independent nation of Panama.
