Modern Marvels: Panama Canal Video Questions

The Panama Canal is a large waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama in Central America. The canal is an engineering marvel and a key route for global maritime trade, allowing ships to save time and distance by avoiding the longer and more dangerous route around the southern tip of South America. The idea of constructing a canal through Panama was first proposed in the 16th century by Spanish explorers, but it was not until the late 19th century that serious efforts were made to build the canal. The construction of the canal was a massive undertaking that involved digging a 50-mile-long canal across the isthmus, creating an artificial lake, and building a series of locks to lift ships up and down the canal's elevation changes. The canal was built by the United States between 1904 and 1914, with the French having previously attempted but failed to complete the project. The canal was officially opened on August 15, 1914, and since then has become one of the most important shipping routes in the world. The canal allows ships to travel between the east and west coasts of North and South America, as well as to and from Asia, Europe, and Africa, making it a vital component of global trade and commerce. In 1999, the Panama Canal was transferred from the United States to Panama, and it is now operated and managed by the Panama Canal Authority. The canal continues to play a vital role in global trade, with millions of tons of cargo passing through each year. The canal has also become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors from around the world coming to see the engineering feat that has connected two oceans and changed the course of history.

These movie questions are designed to help students grasped the important information from the History Channel video titled "Modern Marvels: Panama Canal." An incredible tale of drama, history, and action. See engineers tackle the most daunting project ever attempted. The video will serve as a great supplement to any history lesson about the Panama Canal and American Imperialism.

Here is the link to the video:

Modern Marvels: Panama Canal (episode 2)

Topics explored in this movie: Theodore Roosevelt, Panama Independence, Yellow Fever, Engineering, Roosevelt Corollary

Thumbnail Clipart Credit: Prince Padania

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