U.S. Attitudes Toward the Panama Canal in the 20th Century

American policy viewed the canal as a strategic asset vital for naval mobility and global trade. The 1903 Hay‑Bunau‑Varilla Treaty granted the U.S. control of the Canal Zone. Decades of investment and military presence underscored its importance. Growing anti‑colonial pressure led to the 1977 Torrijos‑Carter Treaties, transferring full sovereignty to Panama on 31 December 1999. The trajectory reflects a shift from unilateral control to partnership.