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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Panama shares slip in value by mid-1885, Ferdinand de Lesseps lies to the stockholders stating the task is how far accomplished?

2. On his 1879 trip to New York, Lieutenant Lucien Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse travels to Washington and sees whom?

3. Cholera kills 48 of 50 technicians and 150 soldiers and dependents en route to duty in Panama in 1852, yet which Fourth Infantry member survives and becomes President?

4. Days after Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique of 1879 concludes, Ferdinand de Lesseps is behind 270 rich investors who are to receive what upon a firm being legally established?

5. Which investigative group of the Panama Affair holds 63 sessions, receives 158 depositions, complies over 1,000 dossiers, but issues a report that embarrasses no colleagues?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1 of his book, David McCullough views a number of expeditions that were made in Central America in the early 19th-century looking for the ideal route, but what did he find as common to every canal proposal?

2. As the Morgan Committee rejects the recommendations of the Walker Commission, what are the rumors that are circulating around Washington?

3. How does the press report the situation three weeks subsequent to the fire destroying Colon?

4. What critical things transpire in regard to the French canal project in July 1886?

5. Why is it yellow fever causes instant panic in comparison to other tropical diseases?

6. What is the most important committee, and how does Ferdinand de Lesseps steer it?

7. What increases the impetus to build a canal, and why?

8. What is the result of Gaston Blanchet's proposal for a 400' wide swath to ease surveying?

9. What are some of the problems author David McCullouch finds Ferdinand de Lesseps has as being key to his failure?

10. Why is it that Ferdinand de Lesseps takes on doing the Suez Canal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ferdinand de Lesseps begins publishing his "Bullet in du Canal Interocyanique" and George W. Goethals his "Canal Record. How are they alike? How do they differ? Are they merely propaganda organs, or is there some legitimacy to them? How effective is each?

Essay Topic 2

What is social life like in the Canal Zone in the latter half of the construction period? Has the war on pestilence and disease been effective? What is offered to prompt individuals to come to Panama, or bring their families? What is the cost of living in Panama like? What social events are available to employees after work hours?

Essay Topic 3

Things are not going well and Phillippe Banau-Varilla offers a solution to get out that David McCullough refers to as "ingenious." It brings tolls in and, more importantly, affords Ferdinand de Lesseps a means of honorably extracting himself. Why does he not take it? What is wrong with the suggestion? Does de Lesseps not have the authority he reflects?

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