Name two obstacles and one political obstacle that stood in the way of the construction of the panama canal. how did engineers and politicians overcome these obstacles?

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Two of the major physical obstacles that stood in the way of the construction of the Panama Canal were the challenging terrain and the presence of deadly diseases. The terrain of the Panama isthmus included mountains, thick jungles, and swamps, making it difficult to construct a canal. Additionally, the area was plagued by diseases like malaria and yellow fever, which posed a significant threat to the workers' health.

Engineers overcame these physical obstacles through innovative engineering techniques. They had to cut through mountains, dig massive trenches, and create locks to overcome the varying elevations. To manage the diseases, the chief engineer John Stevens implemented strict sanitation measures, including draining swamps, fumigating living quarters, and providing protective clothing. Moreover, Colonel William Gorgas successfully controlled mosquito populations, which significantly reduced the spread of diseases.

Apart from the physical hurdles, there was a major political obstacle: ownership and control of the land where the canal would be constructed. At that time, Panama was part of Colombia, and negotiations with the Colombian government to secure the construction rights failed. As a result, a group of Panamanian rebels declared independence, with the support of the United States, creating the Republic of Panama.

Politicians overcame this political obstacle by diplomatically negotiating the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. This treaty granted the United States complete control over the Panama Canal Zone. The U.S. government provided economic support to Panama and ensured its independence, while securing the necessary rights to construct, operate, and control the canal.

In summary, engineers overcame the physical obstacles of challenging terrain and diseases through innovative engineering techniques and sanitation measures. Politicians overcame the political obstacle of ownership and control by supporting the Panamanian independence movement and securing the necessary rights through diplomacy.