Final answer:
The United States assisted Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 to control the construction and operation of the Panama Canal, which was critical for reducing shipping time and enhancing strategic influence. U.S. military aid proved decisive in ensuring the success of the Panamanian revolution amidst Colombia's reluctance to authorize the canal project. This action is a significant example of U.S. foreign policy and intervention in Latin America during the early 20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1903, the United States supported Panama's independence from Colombia in order to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. Strategic and economic interests drove this action, with the U.S. desiring a shorter shipping route between the east and west coasts that would greatly benefit trade and military movement. The U.S. had previously been in negotiations with Colombia over the canal project, but faced with reluctance from Colombian officials, the U.S., under President Theodore Roosevelt, decided to back the Panamanian independence movement.
Amidst a backdrop of Colombian internal conflict, the U.S. saw an opportunity and provided military aid to Panamanian revolutionaries. This intervention involved the presence of U.S. warships to prevent Colombia from dispatching troops to quell the revolution, effectively ensuring a swift and relatively bloodless independence for Panama. Subsequently, the new Panamanian government granted the canal rights to the United States, an outcome that dramatically altered trade patterns and military logistics for the U.S.
Moreover, President Carter later cited the lack of proper authorization from the Panamanian people for the U.S. control of the Canal Zone as a premise for returning the canal to Panama, highlighting the controversial nature of the U.S. intervention and its long-term impact on U.S.-Latin American relations. America's strategic interests, the shipping route, and global influence played key roles in the decision to support Panamanian independence.