Final answer:
The United States wanted to build a canal through Central America to improve trade and transportation, enhance national security, and increase influence in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major reasons that the United States wanted to build a canal through Central America included improving trade and transportation, enhancing national security, and increasing influence in the region. A canal would provide a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reducing travel time and costs. It would also allow for easier military movement and projection of power. Finally, control over a canal would give the United States significant leverage over the countries in the region.
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