Question

multiple choice
question 17
how did the united states acquire the rights to build the panama canal?
a through negotiations with colombia who controlled the isthmus of panama
b by sending u.s. marines to take the canal zone with force
c by providing military support to panama to gain its independence from colombia
d by paying the french company which had building rights to give up its contract to build the canal

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The U.S. tried to negotiate with Colombia but was rejected, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: The U.S. did not directly take the canal zone by force; instead, it supported Panama's independence. So this is incorrect.
• Option C: The U.S. provided military support to Panama to help it gain independence from Colombia. After Panama became independent, the U.S. was able to negotiate the rights to build the canal. This is the correct sequence of events.
• Option D: While the U.S. did pay the French company for its canal - building rights, this was not the primary way it acquired the overall rights to build the canal. The key was the support for Panama's independence to get the rights from the newly independent Panama. So this is not the main way.

Answer:

C. by providing military support to Panama to gain its independence from Colombia