Question

What was the main motivation for the U.S. to become involved in the completion of the Panama Canal?

The canal would remove trade barriers between the United States and South America.

The United States would economically benefit from control of the canal zone.

Panama would become a protectorate of the United States.

The United States would eliminate the European financial presence in Central America.

Answer 1

What was the main motivation for the U.S. to become involved in the completion of the Panama Canal?

• The United States would economically benefit from control of the canal zone.

Ships might avoid the long journey around South America's southernmost point by using the canal, which would save them time and money. For the United States, the canal's construction had enormous economic implications. It improved American trade and commerce by making it easier and more affordable for resources and goods to be transported between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Although removing European financial influence in Central America is mentioned in the option, this was not the main driving force. Removing European financial dominance was not as important as securing a straight path for U.S. economic and military interests.