Panama Borders by Woo YeonWoo, Nicolas Olloqui and Abraham Faskha

Panama and World War I (1917)

What was ww1

After Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was killed in 1914, World War I, commonly known as the Great War, started. His assassination sparked a war in Europe that raged until 1918.
The Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire) engaged in combat with the Allies—Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan, and the United States—during the war (the Allied Powers)

Opening of the Canal

The first administration of Belisario Porras coincided with the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). On the other hand, it was also the opening of the Canal. The construction was done in 1913. March 13th, 1914 is the day for the official opening.
However, the start of the First World War, on July 28th, 1914, changed the event to August 15th of that year. The opening passed unnoticed since the media was focused on covering the war.

U.S subs passing the canal

At that moment, Panama was a neutral nation, however, after having started the war, the United States and Panama signed a hospitality protocol.
With this, in case of war confrontation, the ships from the belligerent powers could use Panamanian and Canal Zone waters.

U.S vessel passing the canal

When the United States broke diplomatic relationships with Germany, Panama’s National Assembly supported this decision.
President Valdes announced in Panama the state of war with Austria-Hungary on December 12th, 1917. As a consequence, 30 German citizens living in Panama and Colon were arrested, who were then moved to the United States.

Canal zone during World war 1

The government allowed Canal Zone authorities to censor telegraphic messages and to look through mail in the cities of Panama and Colon.
They were authorized to use, occupy, and control the territories of punta Paitilla and the region of Chagres.
The Panamanian government also authorized the establishment of naval stations in the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Picture of the Canal

As a consequence of the First World War and due to landslides in the area of the canal, specifically in Corte Culebra, the route couldn’t be opened for trade at the moment of its opening.
In 1919, the Panama Canal opened to world trade until 1921.

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