What key principle did the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty establish?

The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, signed in 1903 between the United States and Panama, was significant as it established U.S. control over the Panama Canal Zone. This agreement arose following Panama's independence from Colombia, with the U.S. playing a critical role in facilitating that independence. Under the treaty's terms, the U.S. secured rights to construct and maintain the Panama Canal, an essential maritime route that would enhance trade and military movement.

The political and strategic importance of controlling the canal zone cannot be overstated, as it allowed the U.S. to dominate maritime trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly shortening travel times for naval and commercial vessels. As a result, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty effectively solidified U.S. influence in the region and played a fundamental role in its imperialist policies at the time.