How did U.S. support affect Panama’s independence movement in 1903?

In 1903, U.S. support was instrumental in the success of Panama’s independence movement from Colombia. After the Colombian Senate rejected the Hay-Herrán Treaty—which would have granted the United States rights to build a canal—Panamanian leaders, fearing the project would be moved to Nicaragua, sought U.S. assistance for a revolt.12

The United States provided critical, albeit covert, support for this movement, which was also encouraged by officials from the French company that held the original canal rights. When the uprising began on November 3, 1903, the presence of the U.S. Navy in nearby waters and the arrival of the warship USS Nashville at Colón proved decisive. U.S. forces prevented Colombian troops from crossing the isthmus to suppress the rebellion, effectively ensuring the success of the independence movement.134

Following the declaration of independence, the United States was the first nation to recognize the new Republic of Panama. This support paved the way for the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which granted the U.S. exclusive control over the Panama Canal Zone in perpetuity.142