PANAMA CANAL HEROES
1914-2014
THEODORE ROOSEVELT(1858-1919)
In foreign policy, Theodore Roosevelt advocated the American expansionism, now controlling the Spanish possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. He instigated a revolt in Panama for the separation of the country that previously had joined the Gran Colombia in 1822 and decades later became an autonomous department of Colombia. The objective of the uprising was to build the canal and remain under the control of the United States. Roosevelt, an ardent advocate of the Navy, thought that the passage through the Isthmus of Panama was essential to create a strong and cohesive marina.
FERDINAND DE LESSEPS(1805-1849)
Ferdinand Marie, Vicomte de Lesseps GCSI,was a French diplomat and later developer of the Suez Canal, which in 1869 joined the Mediterranean and Red Seas, substantially reducing sailing distances and times between the West and the East. He attempted to repeat this success with an effort to build a Panama Canal at sea-level during the 1880s, but the project was devastated by epidemics of malaria and yellow fever in the area, as well as beset by financial problems, and the planned de Lesseps Panama Canal was never completed. Eventually, the project was bought out by the United States who changed the design to a non-sea-level canal with locks, which was completed in 1914. Encouraged by the success and fame he gained with the construction and opening of the Suez Canal, he saw another great progressive ideas settled their project: the construction of a canal that would link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. From the sixteenth century, many countries were interested in building a waterway in Central America, and during the time that conjured the project, the United States and England were fighting this idea, looking at multiple alternatives to commercial advantage routes, this led to result two predefined routes: Nicaragua and Panama (which at that time was a Federal State of Colombia). France, especially De Lesseps, was reluctant to build the road to Panama and then decided by the Interoceanic Canal Civil Society, in which he presided, to send the naval officer Lucien Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse in 1876 the isthmus Panama and discover whether the work was feasible. In 1877, a committee of the Geographical Society of Paris headed by Armand Reclus makes other technical assessments for the project. Displaying good conditions to build a canal in Panama, Wyse was to Bogota request the construction of the road and the May 18, 1878 the contract Salgar-Wyse, in which Colombia would authorize the assignment in France, to be signed a period of 99 years. The May 15, 1879 in Paris meets the International Congress of Interoceanic Canal Studies, attended by 136 delegates from 23 countries, although more than half were French. The conference was chaired by De Lesseps and would aim to determine the best route and the best Interoceanic project between the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico; to Darien in Panama. The conference committees should analyze several aspects of the problem and present its findings and recommendations were formed. The most important Technical Committee composed of Ferdinand de Lesseps himself, Gustave Eiffel (who built the Eiffel Tower), Thomas Selfridge, Pedro J. Sosa (only Panamanian representative), among others was. There was arduous sessions and multiple discussions about the different routes, the most noted was the proposal of Nicholas Joseph Adolphe Godin Lepinay, Baron Brusley, who as French engineer tried to convince Ferdinand to build the Panama Canal by damming the Chagres River including the construction of locks and an artificial lake, similar to the current channel and that he could not repeat the same formula of the Suez Canal because the topography of both were very different; but the influence of Ferdinand in committee flatly rejected that idea, since according to him the best way was to build a sea level canal. The May 28, 1879 the commission concluded that the waterway was to unite Lemon Bay and the Bay of Panama, with a channel level; that decision was ratified by the full Congress, with one abstention Americans; since this model was Ferdinand's own will decided before Congress that would prevail this project. Thus, following his plan as a national hero in France decided to take the address of the new project:
"I want to make as a channel without locks Suez by the Isthmus of Panama, true American Bosphorus, capable of meeting all future traffic increases"
JOSÉ AGUSTÍN ARANGO(1841-1909)
Born in Panama City on February 24, 1841 His father was Cuban and Panamanian mother. Merchant and banker by profession. Despite his impetuous character and a man of great passion for his ideals, he never played a significant role in political activities before the breakaway feat of Colombia in 1903 it is considered within the heroes of the Independence of Colombia, as Figure most inspiring and greatest impact in this fight where he served as Head of the Patriotic Junta. José Agustín Arango came to play various representing the Isthmus of Panama Fees: Representative of Panama to the Senate of Colombia (1903), President of the Provisional Government Junta (1903-1904), Representative of Panama in Washington (1907). He was an ardent supporter of the idea of building the Panama Canal. As Representative of the Isthmus to the Colombian Senate refused to attend the conference sessions that repudiated the negative attitude of Colombia against negotiations were managed with the United States to achieve the construction of the waterway. Similarly brought together a group of supporters, friends and family to arrange the Independence of Panama from Colombia so as to initiate, as a sovereign country, bilateral negotiations for a treaty that ensured the construction of the canal through the Isthmus of Panama. He was an integral member, along with Pablo Arosemena, the commission appointed by the Provisional Ruling Council to travel to Washington to negotiate a treaty with the United States to build the Panama Canal. José Agustín Arango died May 10, 1909, when he held the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Panama.
TOMÁS ARIAS (1856-1932)
He was born in Panama on December 29, 1856 Son of Don Ramón and Doña Manuela Arias Feraud Avila. Trader by profession. He studied in Panama, Jamaica, and the United States. Tomás Arias was one of those active in the independence movement of 1903 His eloquence and features great orator earned him designation as a diplomat on behalf of the Isthmus of Panama figures. During his political career he occupied various positions: Finance Manager, Member of the Departmental Assembly (1882), Representative to the Congress of Colombia, Senator in the Senate (1888-1892), Secretary of Government (1893-1900) Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the National Assembly (1906), Minister of Panama Consul in Mexico and Panama, President of the Republic of Panama (1903-1904). Like José Agustín Arango defended the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty, which represented for him the only warranty ed Build Interoceanic Canal. Tomás Arias died in the city of Panama, on July 20, 1932, at the age of 76 years.
JUSRO AROSEMMENA(1817-1896)
He was born in the city of Panama, on August 9, 1817 Lawyer and sociologist. Considered one of the most brilliant men of his time. It is called "the most illustrious father and Panamanian nationality." Dr. Arosemena held various political positions throughout his career: President of the Federal State of Panama, President of the National Convention of Black River, Secretary of Foreign Affairs (1848, 1849), President of the Chamber of Deputies (1852) , Panama Representative in Washington, Ambassador of Panama in Chile, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Panama, Colombia Congress Senator, Minister resident in Britain Colombia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in England and France (1872), Counsel for the Panama Railroad Company (1888). Dr. Arosemena was aware of the implications for the Isthmus representing the American presence. In his examination of open communication between the oceans, however, highlights the crucial importance for economic growth of the country is building a waterway. In 1868 he participated as a member of the Colombian commission that negotiated the treaty with the United States to lay the foundation for the construction of the Panama Canal. In 1886 the promulgation of the Constitution of Panama is achieved and Dr. Arosemena is removed from the political field to devote himself fully to exercise their profession. His work as a lawyer was recognized by giving its name to the present Legislative Assembly of Panama. He died in the city of Columbus on February 23, 1896.
PABLO AROSEMMENA(1836-1920)
Born in the city of Panama, on September 24, 1836 A lawyer by profession. Man vehemently defended his ideals, since the parliamentary stands to revolutionary actions that took him close to the exile or execution. Dr. Arosemena fought Caudillismo concept and was a strong advocate of suffrage as the only way to achieve true democracy .. Federalism was considered by him as the solution to the problems of excessive centralization and power loomed in Latin America, including the Isthmus of Panama. During his political career he held various positions: President of the Sovereign State (1875, 1885), President of the Republic of Panama (1910-1912, 1920), President of the National Constitutional Convention of Panama (1904), Member of the Congress of Colombia, senator, Attorney General's Office, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Second Appointed as President of Colombia (1880). He was an integral member, along with Jose Agustin Arango, of the committee appointed by the Provisional Ruling Council to travel to Washington to negotiate a treaty with the United States to build the Panama Canal. One of his greatest contributions was the initiative in 1910 to give the National Bank the power to issue paper money known as Balboa. Its historic heritage is reflected in the work: Writings, Posts and Memories. Pablo Arosemena died on August 29, 1920 in Panama City.
MANUEL ESPINOSA BATISTA(1857-1919)
Born in Cartagena, Colombia on September 12, 1857 Dealer of profession. Don Manuel Espinoza Batista was one of the conspirators of the secret plan prepared and implemented by a group of Panamanians in order to obtain the independence of the Republic of Panama from Colombia. He held several political positions: adviser of the members of the Governing Board, member of the Provisional Member Board of Governors, President of the Republic of Panama (1903). He was an honest, socially, economically and politically influential man who brought this force to the Junta. He joined the board at the time when the country needed him most, when glimpsed the Senate reject the Treaty of Colombia Herran-Hay thus the final disaster. With the rejection of the treaty the doors closed from the possible economic development of the construction of a canal across the Isthmus. Don Espinosa Batista replaced Dr. Pablo Arosemena in office of principal member of the Interim Governing Board. Don Pablo Arosemena had left the country to travel to Washington to negotiate a treaty for the construction of the Canal. Thanks to the work of men like Manuel Espinosa Batista Panama's independence from Colombia is achieved and is signed in Washington November 18, 1903 the Canal Treaty. He died in Panama City on November 27, 1919.
FEDERICO BOYD(1851-1924)
He was born in Panama on September 24, 1851 He was an active member of the Patriotic Revolutionary Junta that achieved the emancipation of Panama from Colombia. He was known as a patriot lawyer fighting for the just cause of their country regardless of the consequences. He held several political positions: Member of the Municipal Council of Panama (1888), Member of the Interim Governing Board (1903), Member of the National Assembly (1906), Head of State of Panama (1910), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1911 1912), Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister of Panama in Germany, Holland and Belgium, Consul General, Charge d'Affaires of the Republic of Honduras and El Salvador. His diplomatic skills led him to submit to the government of Colombia a request for an extension on contracts for the construction of the Canal by the French government. His intervention made it possible later to be negotiated with the government of the United States build the Interoceanic Canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Federico Boyd died in the city of New York on May 25, 1924 at 73 years old, going down in history as one of the heroes of the Independence of Panama from Colombia.
LUIS ROUX(1841-1909)
Medical profession. He held several public positions: Professor at the University of Colombia (1900), Representative of Panama to the Congress of Colombia (1903), Member of the National Constituent Assembly. As Representative of Panama to the Congress of Colombia, defended the autonomy of the Isthmus. His speech full of patriotism denounced the indifferent attitude of the Colombian government to the political and economic situation in Panama. He predicted the separation of Panama from Colombia if the Herran Treaty - There was not approved, as many Panamanians wanted to see come true this treaty. His biggest concern was that the Congress was dissolved Colombia without first giving response to the approach of the construction of the Interoceanic Canal across the Isthmus. He fought for a treaty that laid the foundations for the realization of this project ng took shape. He played a great job as a doctor, struggling to eradicate tuberculosis in Panama. He founded the Bolivarian Society Panam and was the author of The Flag of the Bolivarian countries.
MANUEL AMADOR GUERRERO(1833-1909)
Born in Turbaco, Republic of Colombia, 30 June 1833 Professional Medicine. He dedicated his administration to establish the institutionalization of the Isthmus of Panama management. He excelled as a politician to be elected by the National Constituent Assembly in 1904, by unanimous decision, as the first constitutional president of our nation once achieved independence from Colombia. He participated with Jose Agustin Arango in the process of emancipation and was sent to Washington to hold talks aimed at establishing a treaty to build the Panama Canal. He was an advocate of the Hay-Bunau Varilla and this formed the State Committee on the Treaty and integrated by Belisario Porras Francisco Filos. This committee aimed to clarify the doubts of some Panamanians about the rights granted to the United States over the territory of the Canal Zone. Finally it was concluded that the treaty did not infringe the sovereignty of Panama ed. Dr. Guerrero died in the city of Panama, on May 2, 1909.
