Demolition, disease, and death: Building the Panama Canal | Alex Gendler

The California Gold Rush highlighted the need for a faster route between the coasts, leading to the idea of a canal through Panama. The French first attempted this colossal project but failed due to engineering challenges and diseases. The US, seizing the opportunity, supported Panama's independence from Colombia and successfully completed the canal by 1913. The canal, with its innovative lock system, became a vital maritime passage and a source of national pride and revenue for Panama.

What new insight or understanding did you gain from this video?