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They didn't actually NEED to, but it did drastically reduce shipping times from the east to the west coast, by cutting the distance approximately in half, meaning that while the canal is useful for a lot of countries, it was particularly useful for the US.
The US also felt that having control of the canal in potentially unfriendly hands would be bad... in the event of war, an enemy country could close the canal to US ships, meaning it would be much more difficult and time consuming to move ships between the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.
What else can I help you with?
What did the us first build across panama?
the canal
What country did the US join with to build a canal?
Panama canal was started by the French, but 10 years later the US finished it
Did the us help Panama build the Panama Canal?
YES!
What small country did the US build a canal across?
Panama
What us president decided to build the panama canal?
Theodore Roosevelt
Why did the us leaders want to build the Erie canal?
For better trade
In which latin American country was the US able to build a canal?
Panama
Which Country did the US back for independence in order to build the Panama Canal?
Panama
HOW the us got the land to build the canal?
The people living in Panama held a revolt against the Colombians, who at the time owned Panama. The US quickly recognized them as an independent nation and thus discussed an agreement settling the use of the land by the US to build a canal.
How did US get the right to build the panama canal in history?
They had 2 go by the right of rooselvelt
Why did the US Encouraged Panama's revolt against Columbia?
so they could build the canal
Difficulty in navigating the Drake Passage contributed to the US decision to?
build a canal in panama
