The Americans built the Panama Canal second. The first ones to do it were the French, but they did not finish the canal because of engineering problems and a high mortality rate because of diseases. They succeeded because the Panama Canal now makes the route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans much quicker, faster and convenient than if boats had to travel around the tip of South America. This allowed more places to be included in the world economy.
The United States built the Panama Canal under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt. He did succeed after Panama set up its new government and signed a treaty with the U.S. and agreed to a yearly rent of the property to the U.S.
