The Panama Canal was initially started by a French company led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had previously built the Suez Canal. The French began construction in 1881 but failed by 1889 due to engineering challenges, tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever, and financial problems
. The United States took over the project in 1904 after supporting Panama's independence from Colombia and signing the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which gave the U.S. control over the Canal Zone
. Under President Theodore Roosevelt's leadership, the U.S. completed the canal in 1914. American engineers, including John Frank Stevens and Colonel George Washington Goethals, overcame the difficult terrain and health issues to finish the canal, which uses a lock system to raise and lower ships across the isthmus
. In summary:
- French effort led by Ferdinand de Lesseps started the canal in 1881 but failed by 1889.
- The U.S. took over in 1904, led by President Theodore Roosevelt, and completed the canal in 1914
The canal remained under U.S. control until 1979, when it began transitioning to Panama, with full control handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999
