Panama History
The country of Panama is the third largest country in Central America. Its prime location that has long been treasured by colonizers has contributed to the rich history of Panama.
The earliest records of the history of Panama can be traced as far back as 500 AD. Many archeologists who have strived to trace the beginnings of the history of Panama have been able to do so through various excavations done throughout the area. The most significant findings of the earliest traces of Panama history was found in the excavation of the burial sites in Conte. Here, they were able to unearth polychrome pottery that has been crafted in what they considered as the Coclé style. Other significant findings of the early traces of the history of civilization in Panama include the discovery of monolithic sculptures in Barriles. Archaeologists estimated that as many as 200,000 people inhabited the country of Panama prior to the arrival of the Spanish explorers.
For more than 300 years of Panama history, the country was a colony of Spain. This began with the arrival of Christopher Columbus to Panama during his fourth sea voyage which also included the discovery of the country of Nicaragua. It was also during this voyage that Columbus discovered the Chagres River. This river would eventually be the primary source used in the construction of the Panama Canal centuries later.
One of the most significant dates in Panama history was August 15, 1591. It was during this date when the Spanish established the first city in Panama through the decree of the Spanish governor Pedrarias Davila. Davila named the city Panama La Vieja. The city was situated along the Pacific coastline. Panama La Vieja became an important port city for the Spanish Galleon trade. It provided the Spanish a more convenient route for its gold trade between Peru and the Caribbean Islands and Europe. As a result, all of the goods collected from the other colonies within South America would be sent to Panama. From here, it is then sent to Portobello where the goods are then shipped to Europe. The prime location of Panama La Vieja became a target of many pirates roaming the Pacific Ocean. The city was eventually destroyed in 1671 by a pirate named Henry Morgan.
Two years later, another city was established by the Spanish conquistadors. The city was called Casco Antiguo. Many historians have also referred to the city as San Felipe, Casco Viejo and Catedral. Learning from the recent destruction of Panama La Vieja, the local Spanish government established Casco Antiguo on a rocky peninsula which also faced the Pacific Ocean. This was done to further fortify the city from pirate invasions.
Another landmark in the history of Panama was its declaration of Independence from the Spanish on November 3, 1821. The declaration of Independence from the Spanish conquistadors was held in the town of La Villa, commonly known today as La Heroica. While the country was free from the clutches of the Spanish conquistadors, it remained to be a province of the country of Columbia.
The next few decades of Panama history was filled with a number of civil wars erupting as the country strived to gain its independence from Columbia. Over time, the civil wars that erupted had developed into an all-out religious conflict. This led to the establishment of the Free State of the Isthmus in 1840. The victory was, however, short-lived. On December 31, 1841, the Free State of the Isthmus was incorporated back into Panama and the country of Columbia.
In 1846, the United States had managed to put an end to all the bloodshed brought about by the conflict between Panama and Columbia through the Bidlack Mallarino Treaty. At the same time, the treaty also provided the United States the right to construct railways in Panama in order to ensure the New Grenadine control over the province of Panama.
In 1902, US President Theodore Roosevelt decided to continue the unfinished construction of the Panama Canal which was initiated by the French. The decline of the Columbian government in Bogotá rejected the terms and conditions presented by Roosevelt in relation to the continuation of the construction of the canal. This led Roosevelt to encourage a number of families in Panama to once again clamor for independence from Columbia. With the United States providing the military support these families needed, Panama finally achieved its dream from becoming an independent country on November 3, 1903.
Today, the Republic of Panama prides itself as being one of the up-and-coming tourist destinations in the world. Its high standard of living and recent growth in terms of foreign investments would eventually make the country of Panama a paradise destination in the not-so-distant future.
Pre-Columbian Period
The earliest records of the history of Panama can be traced as far back as 500 AD. Many archeologists who have strived to trace the beginnings of the history of Panama have been able to do so through various excavations done throughout the area. The most significant findings of the earliest traces of Panama history was found in the excavation of the burial sites in Conte. Here, they were able to unearth polychrome pottery that has been crafted in what they considered as the Coclé style. Other significant findings of the early traces of the history of civilization in Panama include the discovery of monolithic sculptures in Barriles. Archaeologists estimated that as many as 200,000 people inhabited the country of Panama prior to the arrival of the Spanish explorers.
The Arrival of Columbus
For more than 300 years of Panama history, the country was a colony of Spain. This began with the arrival of Christopher Columbus to Panama during his fourth sea voyage which also included the discovery of the country of Nicaragua. It was also during this voyage that Columbus discovered the Chagres River. This river would eventually be the primary source used in the construction of the Panama Canal centuries later.
The First Spanish City in Panama
One of the most significant dates in Panama history was August 15, 1591. It was during this date when the Spanish established the first city in Panama through the decree of the Spanish governor Pedrarias Davila. Davila named the city Panama La Vieja. The city was situated along the Pacific coastline. Panama La Vieja became an important port city for the Spanish Galleon trade. It provided the Spanish a more convenient route for its gold trade between Peru and the Caribbean Islands and Europe. As a result, all of the goods collected from the other colonies within South America would be sent to Panama. From here, it is then sent to Portobello where the goods are then shipped to Europe. The prime location of Panama La Vieja became a target of many pirates roaming the Pacific Ocean. The city was eventually destroyed in 1671 by a pirate named Henry Morgan.
Establishment of the City of Casco Antiguo
Two years later, another city was established by the Spanish conquistadors. The city was called Casco Antiguo. Many historians have also referred to the city as San Felipe, Casco Viejo and Catedral. Learning from the recent destruction of Panama La Vieja, the local Spanish government established Casco Antiguo on a rocky peninsula which also faced the Pacific Ocean. This was done to further fortify the city from pirate invasions.
Independence of Panama
Another landmark in the history of Panama was its declaration of Independence from the Spanish on November 3, 1821. The declaration of Independence from the Spanish conquistadors was held in the town of La Villa, commonly known today as La Heroica. While the country was free from the clutches of the Spanish conquistadors, it remained to be a province of the country of Columbia.
Panama and Columbia’s Bitter Rivalry
The next few decades of Panama history was filled with a number of civil wars erupting as the country strived to gain its independence from Columbia. Over time, the civil wars that erupted had developed into an all-out religious conflict. This led to the establishment of the Free State of the Isthmus in 1840. The victory was, however, short-lived. On December 31, 1841, the Free State of the Isthmus was incorporated back into Panama and the country of Columbia.
Ceasefire Brought by the United States
In 1846, the United States had managed to put an end to all the bloodshed brought about by the conflict between Panama and Columbia through the Bidlack Mallarino Treaty. At the same time, the treaty also provided the United States the right to construct railways in Panama in order to ensure the New Grenadine control over the province of Panama.
The Canal that Brought Panama Independence
In 1902, US President Theodore Roosevelt decided to continue the unfinished construction of the Panama Canal which was initiated by the French. The decline of the Columbian government in Bogotá rejected the terms and conditions presented by Roosevelt in relation to the continuation of the construction of the canal. This led Roosevelt to encourage a number of families in Panama to once again clamor for independence from Columbia. With the United States providing the military support these families needed, Panama finally achieved its dream from becoming an independent country on November 3, 1903.
Panama Today
Today, the Republic of Panama prides itself as being one of the up-and-coming tourist destinations in the world. Its high standard of living and recent growth in terms of foreign investments would eventually make the country of Panama a paradise destination in the not-so-distant future.
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