Question

(03.02 mc)

which statement describes the efforts required to complete construction of the panama canal?

immigrant laborers who had worked on the transcontinental railroad had to be shipped to panama to provide engineering expertise.
the canal zone had to be secured against attacks by panamanian rebel groups.
high wages had to be offered to workers recruited from many different countries in the region.
u.s. diplomats had to end decades of tension between panama and its neighbors, colombia and costa rica.

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of the Panama Canal

Using the Early 20th Century US Foreign Policy knowledge point

The construction of the Panama Canal (1904–1914) was a massive engineering project that required overcoming immense tropical disease, engineering, and labor challenges. To secure enough labor for the grueling and dangerous work, the United States recruited tens of thousands of workers from various countries, particularly the Caribbean (such as Barbados), Europe, and Asia, by offering relatively high wages compared to their home regions.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1: Immigrant laborers from the transcontinental railroad (completed in 1869) were not shipped decades later to provide "engineering expertise" in Panama.
• Option 2: The Canal Zone did not face major military attacks by Panamanian rebel groups, as the U.S. supported Panamanian independence to secure the canal treaty.
• Option 3: To attract a massive workforce to a disease-ridden environment, the U.S. had to offer competitive wages to recruit workers from many different countries in the Caribbean and Central American region.
• Option 4: While there was tension with Colombia, diplomatic efforts did not focus on ending decades of tension between Panama, Colombia, and Costa Rica as a prerequisite effort to complete construction.

Answer:

• (A) Immigrant laborers who had worked on the transcontinental railroad had to be shipped to Panama to provide engineering expertise.
• (B) The Canal Zone had to be secured against attacks by Panamanian rebel groups.
• (C) High wages had to be offered to workers' recruited from many different countries in the region. (Correct answer)
• (D) U.S. diplomats had to end decades of tension between Panama and its neighbors, Colombia and Costa Rica.