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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. Theodore Roosevelt is in what position when he initially thrusts himself into shaping policy for an American canal?

2. What firm tows its first massive, steam-powered dredges to Colon in April of 1883?

3. Going past Panama swamp in late 1879, Ferdinand de Lesseps and others reach a huge, iron bridge washed out by the worst recorded flood at Barbacoas, so they cross the river how to board another train?

4. Beyond maps and plans, what is Lieutenant Lucien Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse refused access to in 1878?

5. Sen. Spooner offers a Hepburn Bill amendment authorizing the President to acquire the Panama property and concessions for no more than $40 million, only if Colombia relinquishes what?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Colon like, where Ferdinant de Lesseps' entourage begins their journey in Panama?

3. What does Ferdinand de Lesseps accomplish between the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique in Paris and sailing for Panama in December that year?

4. How can the early years of the Companie Universele be described?

5. Briefly, who is Edouard Drumont?

6. Who is Rear Adm. John Grimes Walker?

7. What does the swindler Cornelius Herz do before he flees to France?

8. As hard as they work, what are some of the problems the French engineers encounter?

9. What are the reasons Admiral Ammen opposes the official U.S. plan?

10. How is the work organized under the French?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

You have been invited to attend the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique in Paris for a week. Things get a little heated. But you are maintaining a personal log that includes where you go, what you do, activities at the conference, and so on. Make a paper consisting of five to six log entries.

Essay Topic 2

David McCullough reports that the second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty is the most important of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. Why does Roosevelt disapprove of the initial treaty? How does he demonstrate his objections? Why does Roosevelt state he is "delighted" by the November 18, 1901 signing of the revised treaty?

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 3 shows that only Ferdinand de Lesseps's preconceived opinions and views matter at the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique in Paris. Why does de Lesseps not hold a legitimate meeting? Would it still not have come down to Panama or Nicaragua, as it did in the debates years later in Walker vs. Morgan? He is definitely a "take charge" type, but why does he continuously shrug off critical facts presented to him? Why does his success not carry over to Panama?

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