C-SPAN: POV Lessons

October 21, 2003

	TV Schedules
	C-SPAN
	C-SPAN2
	C-SPAN3
	C-SPAN Radio
	C-SPAN.org
	Video Library >>


CURRENT EVENTS

	108th Congress
	2004 Vote
	Bush Administration
	Rebuilding Iraq / Iraq War
	Sept 11: U.S. Response
	State Politics


C-SPAN SERIES

	America & the Courts
	American Political Archive
	Booknotes
	LBJ White House Tapes
	Prime Minister's Questions
	Road to the White House
	Washington Journal


DOWNLOAD PLAYER

	RealPlayer
	Windows Media Player
	Problems With Video?

Get Broadband

Theodore Roosevelt & the Construction of the Panama Canal
   Section I: Quotes from Theodore Roosevelt
   Section II: The Panama Canal
     Section III: Political Cartoon Resources
     Section IV: Reading Excerpts

Objectives
At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify the chronology of events that transpired in the acquisition and construction of the Panama Canal.

Identify the key personalities in the story of the Panama Canal: Theodore Roosevelt, Rafael Reyes, John Hay, Philippe Bunau-Varilla.

Interpret political cartoons related to the acquisition and construction of the Panama Canal.

Discuss the role played by President Theodore Roosevelt in the acquisition and construction of the Panama Canal.

Explain Roosevelt's Big Stick foreign policy in conjunction with the Panama Canal.

Section I: Quotes from Theodore Roosevelt

Quote #1
"You could no more obtain agreement with the Columbian government than nail currant jelly to the wall."

1. What is the point that Roosevelt is trying to make in this statement?

2. What characteristics of Roosevelt's personality can be observed in this quote?

Quote #2
"Instead debating the building of the canal for 50 years, I thought it better to build the canal, and debate me for 50 years."

1. How does this quote reflect a changing relationship between the executive and legislative branches of U.S. government?

2. List several reasons why TR chose to travel to the canal.

Section II: The Panama Canal
Watch clip "Panama Canal: Past and Future, Day 1"

1. What role did Phillip Bunau-Varilla play in the Panama Canal story?

2. Why did other Latin American nations take offense at the method by which the Canal was acquired?

3. This clip suggests that "Columbia lost its most valuable province." Why might this be considered true?

Section III: Political Cartoon Resources
"Manhandling Colombia"


After Viewing Cartoon 1. What is the cartoonist attempting to show in the depiction of the personal characteristics and clothing of Roosevelt and the the figure representing Colombia in the foreground? 2. What does the figure in the background represent? Why is this figure holding a shovel? 3. What idea is the cartoonist attempting to portray?
"Columbia: Pianissimo Teddy"
After Viewing Cartoon 1. What is it that Roosevelt is attempting to do in the cartoon? 2. What are the papers on the floor?

Section IV: Speech Excerpts
Excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt's Autobiography
Entire text

After Reading
1. How does Roosevelt explain the arrival and use of American vessels and troops during the Panamanian uprising?

2. In your estimation, are his explanations valid?

Excerpts from a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1899
Entire text

After Reading
1. Based on this speech, what was Roosevelt's outlook on world affairs and the United States' role in these affairs?

2. How was Roosevelt's philosophy in this speech reflected in his leadership in securing the Panama Canal?

3. What parallels can you see between Roosevelt's foreign policy as he led the United States into the 21st century and that of President George W. Bush as he leads the nation into the 21st century. Consider our involvement in Iraq and the war against terrorism.

Excerpt from a "statement of grievances" in opposition to Roosevelt's policy in Panama.
The statement was written by Rafael Reyes. Reyes was at one time a Colombian General and was elected president of Columbia in 1904.

After Reading
1. How does Reyes feel the United States has acted illegally?

2. How can a conquest be bloodless?

3. Why would "a few powers" have recognized the new government of Panama so quickly?

C-SPAN in the Classroom
FREE membership service

"Points of View"
About this project

Classroom Lessons
From Project Teachers

The Progressive Movement

Foreign Policy

The Political Landscape

The Nature of the Presidency

Project Resources
From Project Teachers

C-SPAN Sites

American Presidents

American Writers

CSiC Resources

2004 Vote

3 Branches of Government

Index of Classroom Resources