Lesson
Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty
Guiding question
How did President Jimmy Carter achieve Senate ratification of the unpopular treaties transferring the Panama Canal Zone from the United States back to Panama?
President Jimmy Carter’s approach to foreign affairs called for correcting what he saw as injustices, and repudiating American colonialism. Though both negative public opinion and Senate objection originally stood in his way, Carter was able achieve the two-thirds majority necessary for Senate ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977. His methodical and wide-ranging approach to “advice and consent of the Senate” was a key reason for the smooth transfer of the Panama Canal Zone to Panama.
Objectives:
Students will:
- Understand the issues at stake between the United States and Panama in the Panama Canal Treaties.
- Trace President Carter’s approach to the questions and controversies that resulted from Panama Canal Treaties.
- Analyze the roles of the executive and legislative branches in the treatymaking process.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Carter’s efforts.
Materials
- Handout A: Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty
Lesson Components
Lesson plan
50 minClick a phase to open it
More Information
To create a context for this lesson, students complete Constitutional Connection: The President as Chief Diplomat.
Standards
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