Discuss the reasons for, and the impact of, the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the US and Panama to negotiate the treaty and then discuss the impact of the treaty for both countries. Candidates must address both parts of the question, but accept some imbalance in the treatment of each. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence. Reasons for the treaty could include anti-US riots in Panama, increasing tensions between the two countries and President Carter’s desire to improve relations with Panama, specifically, and Latin America in
general. Panamanian reasons include wanting to end US domination, a desire to control the important canal and to benefit economically. The treaty ended the Panama Canal Zone in 1977 and gave the canal to Panama in 1999. The US retained the right to defend the canal. Other effects were increased nationalism in Panama, better US-Panama relations as well as better US-Latin American relations in general. In the US, the treaty caused some political discord and a dislike of Carter for “giving away” the canal.