Final answer:
The correct title for the graphic is 'C. Dangers from Construction of the Panama Canal,' which reflects the military and trade motivations behind the U.S. completion of the Panama Canal, the human and financial costs involved, and the strategic steps taken by the Roosevelt administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best title for a graphic with the provided context would be C. Dangers from Construction of the Panama Canal. This title encapsulates the historical period when the United States purchased land from a French company to construct the Panama Canal, a feat that improved naval efficiency and international trade but came with many risks. Construction required overcoming challenging terrain and rampant diseases like malaria, which claimed many workers' lives. Moreover, U.S. intervention in Panamanian independence from Colombia showcased the strategic motivations for accessing the isthmus for canal construction, despite causing political strife and loss of life and funds.
The Spanish-American War also underscored the military necessity of creating a canal to allow the U.S. fleet to transition more effectively between oceans. This was sparked in part by the California Gold Rush, which generated interest in improving travel to and from the Pacific. Financial loss and the human toll were constant during the French attempts to construct a canal and continued under American leadership, although the U.S. engineers completed the canal in a shorter timeframe. Finally, the Roosevelt administration's strategic approach to securing canal rights despite Colombian reluctance involved military presence and negotiations that eventually led to global engineering marvel, despite heavy costs.