Constructing the Panama Canal: Triumphs and Tragedies

Which of these was a negative result of the construction of the Panama Canal?

Officially recognized as one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal was and still is one of the biggest and hardest engineering feats ever accomplished. It greatly reduced the time necessary to get from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean but unfortunately it also led to the resentment of various Latin countries including Columbia towards the US because of the role US played in the conflict between Panama and Columbia.

Final answer:

A negative result of the Panama Canal's construction was the loss of over 25,000 lives, mainly due to tropical diseases and harsh work conditions. Financial failures and political tensions with Latin American countries also marred the project's history.

Explanation:

One negative result of the construction of the Panama Canal was the high death toll due to disease and difficult working conditions. Under the French leadership of Ferdinand de Lesseps and later Gustave Eiffel, the project faced numerous problems, including tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, relentless tropical rain causing floods and mudslides, and the tragic deaths of over 20,000 workers. This resulted in financial failure and the ultimate abandonment of the French project. The U.S. phase, although more successful in completing the canal, also resulted in the loss of many lives, particularly among black West Indian workers. Additionally, the tactics used by President Theodore Roosevelt to secure control over the Canal Zone, including supporting Panama's independence from Colombia, led to long-term political tensions and a loss of U.S. prestige in Latin America.