Reasons that the panamanians did not like the U.S.controling the panama canal?

Question

*why did the citizens of panama not like the U.S. controling the canal?

*

Answer 1

because is THEIR COUNTRY and Us doesn't have the right to control anything beyond the border.

Answer 2

Patriotism but for the many people who worked there went from American wages to Panamanian wages. They wore not to happy. Now the Chinese have a big say in it.

Answer 3

There were political issues regarding the control of the Panama Canal by the US.  First according to the original Hay - Buneu-Varilla Treaties the US paid Panama $250.000.00 a year for the Canal Zone (so yes it was a raw deal).  Then the US due to pressure from the international community and Panama increased the annuity for the Canal Zone in different treaties until 1977 and the Carter - Torrijos treaties where the annuity increased every year depending on the income from the Canal.  Now the Canal is under Panama the income from the canal has been greater than all the time the US controlled it.

Touché for the other contributors as their answers have been right on the money.

Answer 4

Because we did not like the way they controlled.  Panamanians did not have access to the Canal Area.  US controlled not only the Canal but the mail, police, schools, groceries, railroad, housing, utilities, ports, etc, etc.  By the way, all paid with US taxes.  It was a country inside another country.  Those rules could not last forever. . . .

Another thing:  the chinese do not control all the ports; only two through Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd.  Ports are one thing, the Canal is another.  

Last thing:  Since January 2000, the Canal renevues to the country add more money that all the ones delivered by the US in almost 100 years.  Figure it out!

Answer 5

The Archive, Your history book answer lacks on the ground knowledge.  Fushia, good answers but you are way too polite.

As an US expat living Panama my eyes tell me a story about the history of the US presence in Panama.  Everywhere the US military was located here with one quick glance you can tell it was the best of what Panama had to offer.  And what did they give in exchange?  Well, let's see.  For the agreement to extend US occupation in Panama the US build that crappy road on the El Chorrera side of the bridge of the Americas.  That's the worse and most dangerous part of the highway here. Or what about one of my employees who worked for the US military in the PX for so many years and is now in a law suite against the US government with other Panamanians to get what was promised them in retirement and benefits?  Or what about Martyrs Day http://www.panamaexpertos.com/forum/topi... or Operation Just cause http://www.panamaexpertos.com/forum/topi... You should speak to those who were here and hear the horror stories of death and loss in both homes and businesses or in some cases people lost both.  Panama didn't ask us here kick Noriega out, it was just in the best interest of the US.  We don't have a very good track record of fair and descent treatment of Panama; we have an excellent track record of abuse and use.  I shutter when I read about things like the free trade agreement that Panama is working on with the US as usual the terms are in the best interest of the US and if you read it you will see Panama is really getting the short end of the stick.  Or the rumor that the US will send military personal to help keep the Colombian drugs out of the Darien?  At what cost?  Most times I feel as if I should apologize for my birth country.

When a woman leaves an abusive relationship she has a choice to learn from it and get better or learn from it and get bitter or not learn and repeat her mistake over and over.  I can only hope that Panama has learned and is better, that she understands how to hold those who would use her and control her close enough to anticipate what may come without being damaged in the process.

Just my opinion, that and $1.50 will get you a cappuccino or cafe con leche in Panama.

Answer 6

Because it is in Panama?

Answer 7

Because it was as if the Canal Zone was another state in the USA.Panamanians in general were not allowed there unless they worked for the Commission or were somone's maid.Panamanians were not allowed on the bases or in the commissaries or the PXes.If an American citizen bought something and gave it to a Panamanian,it was considered contraband.This is and was Panama,not the USA,their country and not ours.Now,the Chinese basically control everything.I will love to see the day when Panamanians can control it all.It is their country.And for the record,THANK YOU,Rivkarut 2004,you hit the nail right on the head !!!!!!!

Answer 8

Its not a simple answer, but here it is.  Theodore Roosevelt, yes the president of the USA at the time, purchased the equipment and stuff to make the canal.  They made a deal with Panama that if we helped them declare independence from Columbia that they would give us control of the "Panama Canal Zone".   After World War II, the people of Panama were upset about this deal because they felt the panama canal was rightfully theirs, this was their land and they thought we gave them a bad deal(They would have been COLUMBIA if not for us).  This caused a lot of contention between the US and Panama.   Jimmy Carter wanted to make this right and thus came the "Torrijos-Carter Treaty" and was signed on 09/07/1977 giving the people of panama back the canal on December 31st. 1999.  See they didn't like the US controlling the canal because they felt it was their land.  The funny thing is, before 12/31/1999 Panama had a bidding for a 25 year contract for control of the canal's container shipping ports, and a Chinese firm won the bid.  So they techincally still don't have control of it.  Weird.

Check out Wikipedia for full historical detail.