The United States Discovers Panama

Marking the centennial of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903, this volume reprises U.S. images of the isthmus a century ago. The editors have collected a fascinating selection of articles from two of the most influential publications of the eraHarper's Monthly Magazine and theAtlantic Monthly, to illustrate the prejudices and expansionistic rhetoric of the time. An eclectic mix of adventure-seekers, naturalists, and scholars all helped a reading public in the United States "discover" Panama. Their writings show how Americans came to believe control of the isthmus was vital to their economic and political wellbeing. Constituting critically important primary sources, these articles will help readers think more critically and carefully about U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing legacy in U.S.-Latin American relations.

Marking the centennial of Panama's separation from Colombia in 1903, this volume reprises U.S. images of the isthmus a century ago. The editors have collected a fascinating selection of articles from two of the most influential publications of the era, Harper's Monthly Magazine and the Atlantic Monthly, to illustrate the prejudices and expansionistic rhetoric of the time. An eclectic mix of adventure-seekers, naturalists, scientists, scholars, and travellers all helped a reading public in the United States 'discover' Panama and the tropics. Their writings show the long evolution of the U.S. debate on the question of Panama and how Americans came to believe control of the isthmus was vital to their economic and political wellbeing. Constituting critically important primary sources, which are virtually unknown among students and scholars today, the articles highlight the intersection of politics, history, technology, and commercial interests in the region. By introducing and organizing these long-forgotten essays in cohesive thematic sections, this book will help readers think more critically and carefully about U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing legacy in U.S.-Latin American relations.

PART 1 Part I: The Panama Railroad
Chapter 2 A Trip on the Panama Railroad
Chapter 3 Panama Railroad
Part 4 Part II: The Search for a Route
Chapter 5 Darien Exploring Expedition, under Command of Lieut. Isaac C. Strain
Chapter 6 Nicaragua: an Exploration from Ocean to Ocean
Chapter 7 The New Route Through Chiriqui
Chapter 8 The Secret of the Strait
Chapter 9 Tehuantepec and the Eads Ship Railway
Part 10 Part III: Choosing the Route
Chapter 11 Short Cuts Across the Globe
Chapter 12 Projects for an Isthmian Canal
Chapter 13 The Trans-Isthmian Canal Problem
Chapter 14 The Best Isthmian Canal
Chapter 15 The Tropical Renaissance
Part 16 Part IV: Diplomacy and Strategy of the Isthmian Region
Chapter 17 The Isthmus Canal and American Control
Chapter 18 Latin and Saxon America
Chapter 19 The Diplomacy and Law of the Isthmian Canals
Chapter 20 The Strategic Features of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
Part 21 Part V: After Separation
Chapter 22 Non-Intervention and the Monroe Doctrine
Chapter 23 The Right and Wrong of the Monroe Doctrine