<P> French engineer and financier Philippe - Jean Bunau - Varilla played a key role in changing U.S. attitudes . Bunau - Varilla had a large stake in the failed French canal company , and stood to make money on his investment only if the Panama Canal was completed . Extensive lobbying of U.S. lawmakers coupled with his support of a nascent independence movement among the Panamanian people led to a simultaneous revolution in Panama and the negotiation of the Hay -- Bunau - Varilla Treaty which secured both independence for Panama and the right for the U.S. to lead a renewed effort to construct the canal . Colombia 's response to the Panamanian independence movement was tempered by U.S. military presence ; the move is often cited as a classic example of the era of gunboat diplomacy . </P>
<P> French engineer and financier Philippe - Jean Bunau - Varilla played a key role in changing U.S. attitudes . Bunau - Varilla had a large stake in the failed French canal company , and stood to make money on his investment only if the Panama Canal was completed . Extensive lobbying of U.S. lawmakers coupled with his support of a nascent independence movement among the Panamanian people led to a simultaneous revolution in Panama and the negotiation of the Hay -- Bunau - Varilla Treaty which secured both independence for Panama and the right for the U.S. to lead a renewed effort to construct the canal . Colombia 's response to the Panamanian independence movement was tempered by U.S. military presence ; the move is often cited as a classic example of the era of gunboat diplomacy . </P>
who pushed for a canal across central america
who pushed for a canal across central america
French engineer and financier Philippe - Jean Bunau - Varilla
French engineer and financier Philippe - Jean Bunau - Varilla