Panama Canal fence facts for kids
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McPherson (2002) describes the controversial Panama Canal fence as a "separation barrier built by the United States in the Panama Canal Zone that divided the Republic of Panama in two separate sections". The Canal Zone, primarily consisting of the Panama Canal, was a strip of land running from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean. The fence, also called “Fence of Shame” and "another Berlin Wall” portrayed the centre of geopolitical and diplomatic turmoil between the United States and the Republic of Panama. Some evidences suggest construction, breaking and repairs of the fence while others including many aerial photographs and Life magazine (January 24, 1964) confirm that there was no such physical barrier between the Canal Zone and Panama.
Background
Panama gained independence from Colombia with the assistance of the United States and was recognized as a separate state in 1903. Diplomatic relations were established on November 13, 1903 between the United States and Panama. Both countries signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty. The treaty provided the United States with sovereignty over the Canal Zone. In exchange, the Republic of Panama received a $10 million payment and additional annual payments which began with the opening of the canal. In addition to this purchase from Panama, the United States bought the title to all lands in the Canal Zone, including a payment of $40 million to the French Canal Company for their properties.
Amid much resentment among Panamanians, the treaty granted the Canal Zone, a strip 5 miles (8.0 km) wide on each side of the Panama Canal, in perpetuity to the United States to build, manage, strengthen and defend an inter-oceanic canal. The Canal Zone which became a U.S. territory and had its own police, post offices, courts, television and radio stations.
The Panama Canal fence, dubbed as “Fence of Shame” and "The other Berlin Wall”. was the demarcation line between the Canal Zone and Republic of Panama.
Construction
Due to lack of evidence in the knowledge base, the dimensions of the fence or the construction details are not available. According to McPherson (2002) the "construction started at the end of the 1950s when Panamanian students threatened with a "patriotic invasion" "
Beginning of the end
A scuffle between Zonian and Panamanian high school students over hosting Panamanian and US flags in the Canal Zone erupted into a protest on January 9, 1964. This was a result of an ongoing flag hosting dispute between US and Panama, over the period between 1959 and 1964. It led to series of incidents of civil unrest. The flag desecration incident, despite conflicting claims, sparked antiracial sentiments and angry crowds formed along the fenced border between Panama City and the Canal Zone. According to Jackson (1999) at several points demonstrators stormed into the zone, planting Panamanian flags and began to tear down the fence creating gaps in front of the US District Court and several other spots along the fence. Canal Zone police responded firing shots and tear-gassing protesters pulling or climbing on the fence.
The riots left four Americans and twenty-two Panamanians dead. The day, January 9, is marked in Panama as Martyrs’ Day and is a national holiday. These events compelled President Roberto Chiari to take the historic decision to break diplomatic relations with the United States. Although the diplomatic relations between Panama and the United States were re-established on April 3, 1964, through the joint declaration Moreno-Bunker, events led to the resentment of Panamanians. U.S. President Jimmy Carter, stipulated joint administration of the Canal starting in 1979. Pushed by internal political turmoil, supported by external international organizations such as the United Nations and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries over the years and after a number of treaties the Republic of Panama was assumed the total jurisdiction and operational control over the Canal on December 31, 1999.
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See also
In Spanish: Valla de la Zona del Canal de Panamá para niños
