Question

In 1903 the United States purchased the rights to the Panama Canal from _______ in order to complete its construction. A) Colombia B) France C) Mexico D) Spain

Answer 1

Answer: B) France

Explanation: Investors from France had been attempting to construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama Ferdinand de Lesseps, designer of the Suez Canal in Egypt, led the efforts in Panama, that was actually province of Colombia. By 1893, though, the project proved too costly both in money and lives: roughly 20,000 people died during construction to that point. Within 10 years, though the United States had purchased the rights to the project and construction resumed.

Answer 2

France

Step-by-step explanation:

France began work on the canal in 1881, but stopped due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal on Aug 15, 1914.