The Panama Canal and U.S. Policy Quiz

Why did the U.S. want to build the Panama Canal?

• To control trade in Central America

• To connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for faster travel

• To make Panama a U.S. state

• To avoid traveling through Europe

What was the biggest obstacle in building the canal?

• Lack of workers

• Panama's mountains and rivers

• Permission from the U.S. government

• Spanish military interference

How did the U.S. help Panama gain independence?

• The U.S. sent warships to support a rebellion against Colombia

• The U.S. paid Colombia to free Panama

• Panama voted for independence with U.S. help

• The U.S. built the canal to support Panama

What disease did Dr. Gorgas help control during canal construction?

• Yellow fever and malaria

• Smallpox and typhoid

• Influenza and tuberculosis

• Cholera and measles

What did the Roosevelt Corollary say?

• The U.S. could take action if Latin American countries were unstable

• The U.S. would avoid interfering in Latin America

• The U.S. wanted to give independence to Latin America

• The U.S. would stop building a strong navy

What did Theodore Roosevelt mean by 'speak softly and carry a big stick'?

• Use diplomacy but be ready to use force

• Focus only on peaceful actions

• Expand trade by avoiding military conflicts

• Talk loudly and intimidate other nations

How did the U.S. acquire the Canal Zone in Panama?

• They made a deal with Colombia

• They signed a treaty with Panama after its independence

• They bought it from France

• They conquered it during the Spanish-American War

What is dollar diplomacy?

• Using money instead of military force to influence other countries

• Requiring all countries to use U.S. currency

• Building military bases in other countries

• Forcing countries to trade with the U.S.

Why were some people upset about U.S. actions in Latin America?

• They believed the U.S. was unfairly interfering in other nations

• They thought the U.S. wasn’t doing enough to help

• They didn’t like the construction of the Panama Canal

• They wanted the U.S. to leave the region entirely

What did Roosevelt win the Nobel Peace Prize for?

• Helping end the Russo-Japanese War

• Building the Panama Canal

• Creating the Roosevelt Corollary

• Expanding trade with China