Economic Benefits:
- Shorter Trade Routes: Building a canal would significantly reduce travel distances and time for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, leading to substantial savings in fuel and travel costs for global trade.
- Increased Trade Volume: By eliminating the need to travel around the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn), the canal would facilitate faster and more efficient movement of goods, opening up new trade opportunities and increasing the volume of trade between the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Strategic Considerations:
- Military Advantage: A canal would provide the United States with a strategic military advantage by enabling rapid movement of warships between the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, improving defense capabilities on both coasts and expanding the US's sphere of influence in the region.
- Securing Caribbean and Central America: The construction of the canal would solidify US control over the Caribbean and Central America, protecting its economic and political interests in the region.
Expansionist Ideologies:
- Manifest Destiny: The prevailing ideology of Manifest Destiny influenced US policies, driving the belief that it was America's destiny to expand from coast to coast and exert its influence across the continent. Building a canal in Panama aligned with this expansionist vision.
Technological Advancements:
- Improved Engineering Capabilities: The late 19th century witnessed significant advancements in engineering and construction techniques, making the construction of a sea-level canal feasible.
Political Influence:
- Lobbying by Prominent Figures: Prominent figures, including US Navy Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan and former President Ulysses S. Grant, advocated strongly for the construction of a canal, influencing public opinion and political decision-making.
