<P> Roosevelt was angered by the Colombians ' actions , especially when the Colombian Senate made a counteroffer that was more financially advantageous to Colombia . A Frenchman who had worked on his nation 's canal efforts , Philippe Bunau - Varilla , represented Panamanian insurgents ; he met with Roosevelt and with Secretary of State John Hay , who saw to it that his principals received covert support . When the revolution came in November 1903 , the United States intervened to protect the rebels , who succeeded in taking over the province , declaring it independent as the Republic of Panama . Bunau - Varilla was initially the Panamanian representative in the United States , though he was about to be displaced by actual Panamanians , and hastily negotiated a treaty , giving the United States a zone 20 miles ( 32 km ) wide and full authority to pass laws to govern that zone . The Panama Canal Zone ( Canal Zone , or Zone ) excluded Panama City and Colón , but included four offshore islands , and permitted the United States to add to the zone any additional lands needed to carry on canal operations . The Panamanians were minded to disavow the treaty , but Bunau - Varilla told the new government that if Panama did not agree , the United States would withdraw its protection and make the best terms it could with Colombia . The Panamanians agreed , even adding a provision to the new constitution , at US request , allowing the larger nation to intervene to preserve public order . </P>
<P> Roosevelt was angered by the Colombians ' actions , especially when the Colombian Senate made a counteroffer that was more financially advantageous to Colombia . A Frenchman who had worked on his nation 's canal efforts , Philippe Bunau - Varilla , represented Panamanian insurgents ; he met with Roosevelt and with Secretary of State John Hay , who saw to it that his principals received covert support . When the revolution came in November 1903 , the United States intervened to protect the rebels , who succeeded in taking over the province , declaring it independent as the Republic of Panama . Bunau - Varilla was initially the Panamanian representative in the United States , though he was about to be displaced by actual Panamanians , and hastily negotiated a treaty , giving the United States a zone 20 miles ( 32 km ) wide and full authority to pass laws to govern that zone . The Panama Canal Zone ( Canal Zone , or Zone ) excluded Panama City and Colón , but included four offshore islands , and permitted the United States to add to the zone any additional lands needed to carry on canal operations . The Panamanians were minded to disavow the treaty , but Bunau - Varilla told the new government that if Panama did not agree , the United States would withdraw its protection and make the best terms it could with Colombia . The Panamanians agreed , even adding a provision to the new constitution , at US request , allowing the larger nation to intervene to preserve public order . </P>
who was president when the united states acquired the right to build a canal across panama
who was president when the united states acquired the right to build a canal across panama
Roosevelt
Roosevelt