Customer Reviews

Prize Possession: The United States Government and the Panama Canal 1903-1979

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This is a good albeit flawed study. It is well-researched but some will question its conclusions, the direct ones and the subtle ones. The footnotes are good and reflect careful research. The index is comprehensive and useful. Nonetheless, this book errs on being unduly critical of the U. S. role and administration. One is hard pressed to find a less imperialistic nation than the United States. Look at the French, Belgium, English, Japanese, etc. imperial examples.

Specifically the book covers the years from 1904, when Panama with help from the U. S. separated from Colombia in November 1903, to 1979. The book also includes some useful information dating back several hundred years. The author points out that many European countries wanted access to the Isthmus of Panana, only fifty miles wide in some sections, for trade and imperialistic reasons. England, France, Spain and other European countries wanted to build and control a canal to unite the two oceans. It took the boisterous Theodore Roosevelt to do it. His actions have been widely condemned or praised by countless historians.

It is well to remember that had TR not acted, and I am not an apologist for him, Panama would have remained a neglected province of Colombia. Remember as well that Panama, along with four other Latin American nations, joined Gran Colombia voluntarily in the 1820s. It was quickly ignored and scorned by Colombia for the next 80 years. To wit: there were over 80 up risings, attempts at achieveing independence, against Colombia during those years. They were not happy campers and yes, they were ignored by the government in Bogota. Cognizant of European ambitions on Panama, one far thinking senator suggested that Colombia move its capital to Panama City to guarantee its continued sovernity over the Isthmus. It never happened and the senator lost his seat.

In an attempt to keep Europe at bay, Colombia signed a series of understandings with the U.S. to guarantee their hegemony over Panama. The U. S. even intervened or threatened to do so several times when Panama tried to establish their independence from Colombia. The U.S. wasn't pure either, it wanted to eventually build a canal in the region. Plus the Monroe Doctrince was still in full force. Colombia's experience highlights the danger of seeking a powerful protector -- they may take you over.

The book has five major themes. "The canal's defense and its place in America's strategy, the Zone's regimental system of government, its strictly segregated labour force, its commercial development at the expense of Panama, and the equally controversial issue of U.S. government intervention in Panamanian Politics."

Clearly, the author has a very biased and erroneous point of view. Too bad for it weakens his book and negates all the serious research he did. He should have been more balanced.

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Dr. Mellander earned a Ph. D. in Latin American History from the George Washington University. He specialized in U.S.- Panamanian relations and wrote three books and many articles on Panama.