b) Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in the acquisition of the Panama Canal Zone, a monumental project in the early 20th century. Roosevelt’s administration supported the Panamanian Revolution against Colombia, which subsequently led to the creation of an independent Panama. In return, Panama granted the U.S. rights to build and control the Panama Canal. Completed in 1914, the canal significantly reduced maritime travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Roosevelt’s involvement in the Panama Canal Zone exemplified his assertive foreign policy, often summarized by his famous phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” The canal’s construction was a significant achievement in American engineering and a pivotal moment in U.S. expansionist policy.