Hay-Pauncefote Treaty

The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty was an agreement between the United States and Britain signed in 1901. It granted the U.S. the exclusive right to build and operate a canal across Central America, specifically the isthmus of Panama. Prior to this, Britain had colonial interests in the region and shared some rights with the U.S. through earlier treaties. The treaty effectively ended Britain's influence over the proposed Panama Canal project, allowing the U.S. to undertake the construction and control of the canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enhancing global maritime navigation and U.S. strategic power.