They experienced illness, the cold winter and shortages of supplies
France began work on the canal in 1881 but stopped due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904, and opened the canal on August 15, 1914. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduced the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling them to avoid the lengthy, hazardous Cape Horn<span> route around the southernmost tip of </span>South America<span> via the </span>Drake Passage<span> or </span>Strait of Magellan<span>. The french started it but americans finished it SO THE ANSWER IS FRENCH AND AMERICA</span>
His election caused a secession crisis because he had no votes from southern states which caused a political divide.
