View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which monument unveiling did Ferdinand de Lesseps attend in October of 1886?

2. In November 1881, who dies the apparent victim of malaria, the most common tropical disease?

3. Who offers a solution letting Ferdinand de Lesseps extract himself honorably and gain income from tolls coming in?

4. A. G. Menocal tells the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique he had been in Panama in 1875 planning a sea-level canal, but abandoned that idea when he grasped what?

5. When Jules Dingler quits upon approaching mental and physical collapse and Maurice Hutin steps in for a month before resigning also, who becomes acting head of the entire effort?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is the work organized under the French?

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

4. Among the earliest authoritative studies, the Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain, published in 1811, is sketchy about a number of things, but is adamant about what?

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

6. What are the essential elements, pros and cons, to A.G. Menocal's canal proposal?

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

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

9. What does Ferdinand de Lesseps and those accompanying him encounter at Barbacoas?

10. Who is Rear Adm. John Grimes Walker?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

"The Hero," subtitle for Chapter 2, is a reference to the sincere respect that surrounded Ferdinand de Lesseps subsequent to his success with the Suez Canal. He was in his 60s then, and could easily have retired on his tremendous success. Yet in 1875, now about 70 years old, he expresses public interest in an interoceanic canal in Central America, and joins with the Turr Syndicate. Is de Lesseps a willing confederate? Is he the guiding light? Is he merely an innocent dupe of the Turr Syndicate leaders? The "Great Engineer" may not have been that, during his life he was many things, but certainly no fool. Why needlessly risk his reputation?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,132 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample