According to the Knowledge Article, the French were the first to attempt to build a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. However,
the French failed in their attempt. Discuss two issues that prevented the French from building the canal at the end of the nineteenth century. How did those two obstacles cause the French difficulties in Panama? How did the United States deal with those same obstacles to ultimately build the canal?
The obstacles that the French faced while attempting to build a canal across Panama were diseases and poor planning. The French dealt with constant outbreaks of malaria and yellow fever, which slowed construction and caused the deaths of thousands of workers. The French also did not take into consideration the geographical differences between the Suez Canal region and the Panama region. The French had succeeded in building a canal at sea level in Egypt, and they mistakenly thought a similar design would work in Panama. However, the difference in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean sea levels, as well as the difference in elevation of the Panamanian terrain, prevented them from building a sea-level canal. The United States knew about these two problems when they undertook the project. They took preventative measures by reducing the disease-spreading mosquito population and using a canal-lock system to overcome the elevation obstacle in Panama.
