Question

Which group gained the most from the opening of the panama canal in 1914

Answer 1

The United States gained the most from the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, significantly aiding in maritime commerce and military mobility between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Step-by-step explanation:

The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 was a significant event that altered global shipping and military strategies. Primarily, the United States benefit from the Panama Canal as it dramatically reduced the shipping distance and time between the East and West coast, demonstrated as a strategic advantage when the U.S. Pacific Fleet needed to engage Spain after defeating them in the Philippines. However, the entire project would not have succeeded without dealing with the tropical diseases that plagued workers, a feat accomplished by Dr. William Gorgas who, with the help of Cuban researchers, eradicated the spread of malaria among workers. Moreover, the construction of the canal was a massive effort in engineering and logistics, involving the excavation of millions of cubic yards of earth and the construction of a complex lock system. The canal was constructed with the intention of providing a quicker passageway for cargo and military vessels between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thus benefiting commercial and military interests.

Answer 2

To combat the threat of tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever, the United States decided to use new measures to eradicate the disease before the construction of the Panama Canal.  Under the leadership of Colonel William Crawford Gorgas, many changes were made.  When it was discovered that mosquitoes were the source of the disease, Gorgas who was appointed as the head of hospital and sanitation, he made sure that containers with stagnant water were removed because mosquitoes lay their eggs there.  He also built domestic water systems to eliminate the need to collect rain water.  Prophylactic Quinine was supplied to the people in the area and fumigation and oiling of streams were launched.  Those who were sick were quarantined and workers would sleep in screened structures so that mosquitoes would not be able to bite them.  These programs resulted in the successful elimination of tropical diseases in the area and the health of workers improved.