<P> On January 22 , 1903 , the Hay -- Herrán Treaty was signed by United States Secretary of State John M. Hay and Colombian Chargé Dr. Tomás Herrán . For $10 million and an annual payment it would have granted the United States a renewable lease in perpetuity from Colombia on the land proposed for the canal . The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate on March 14 , 1903 , but the Senate of Colombia did not ratify it . Bunau - Varilla told President Theodore Roosevelt and Hay of a possible revolt by Panamanian rebels who aimed to separate from Colombia , and hoped that the United States would support the rebels with U.S. troops and money . Roosevelt changed tactics , based in part on the Mallarino -- Bidlack Treaty of 1846 , and actively supported the separation of Panama from Colombia and , shortly after recognizing Panama , signed a treaty with the new Panamanian government under similar terms to the Hay -- Herrán Treaty . </P>
<P> On January 22 , 1903 , the Hay -- Herrán Treaty was signed by United States Secretary of State John M. Hay and Colombian Chargé Dr. Tomás Herrán . For $10 million and an annual payment it would have granted the United States a renewable lease in perpetuity from Colombia on the land proposed for the canal . The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate on March 14 , 1903 , but the Senate of Colombia did not ratify it . Bunau - Varilla told President Theodore Roosevelt and Hay of a possible revolt by Panamanian rebels who aimed to separate from Colombia , and hoped that the United States would support the rebels with U.S. troops and money . Roosevelt changed tactics , based in part on the Mallarino -- Bidlack Treaty of 1846 , and actively supported the separation of Panama from Colombia and , shortly after recognizing Panama , signed a treaty with the new Panamanian government under similar terms to the Hay -- Herrán Treaty . </P>
who was the president during the building of panama canal
who was the president during the building of panama canal
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt