Why did construction of the Panama Canal become


more important to the United States after the


Spanish-American War?


(1) Congress realized that the key threat to


national security came from South America.


(2) Great Britain had plans to purchase the canal


zone and colonize the territory.


(3) Spain had regained control of its former


colonies near the canal route.


(4) The navy needed a faster way to move ships


between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.