On January 9, 1964, a riot erupted in the Panama Canal Zone, a U.S.-controlled territory in the
heart of Panama. The trouble began when Panamanian students tried to raise Panama's
national flag at an American high school. American residents objected and fighting broke out.
The riots continued over the next three days as thousands of Panamanians joined in. More than
20 people died in the unrest.
The riots in the Canal Zone reflected longstanding resentment of the U.S. presence in Panama.
The United States had controlled the Canal Zone since 1903. A treaty signed that year gave the
United States rights to the Panama Canal and the land around it “in perpetuity” (forever). Since
then, the United States had viewed the canal as essential to international trade and American
security.
President Lyndon Johnson blamed the riots on communist Cuba. He claimed that Cuba was
“sending guns, money, and agents into Panama” to encourage revolution. For the people of
Panama and the rest of Latin America, however, the riots were an expression of nationalism.
They saw the Canal Zone as a symbol of American imperialism.
The riots did have one positive effect, though. The United States began negotiations to hand the
canal over to Panama. It took many years, but in 1977 the United States and Panama finally
signed the Panama Canal Treaties. On December 31, 1999, Panama gained full control over the
canal.
The story of the Panama Canal riots is one example of the legacy of imperialism, which took on
new life during the Cold War. In this lesson, you will learn more about that legacy and how it
affected nations and people around the world.
