Originating from a famous saying that means same way from the front and the back, the film A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama captures the best historical happening in a more captivating way. Directed by David McCullough, the film depicts Panama as huge engineering arena that portrayed unique potential in the beginning of the construction years although in some particular instances it was viewed as a death trap were many lives were lost.
The construction of the Panama Canal which was instigated by the French was regarded as a plot to discredit the society leaving it to languish in dire poverty. It is however observed that a second attempt that was not handled by Americans became successful proving that America was indeed the world super power when it comes to the use of technology (Greene 80). As the author proceeds with his narration, he observes that the best thing that the world witnessed and was of great benefit was the Panama Canal.
The working conditions and labor relations that existed in the Canal Zone were unbearable for individuals and majority of the laborers who depended on the Canal survived from the silver rolls that they received which were never enough. Other conditions that were unbearable among the Spaniards where the quality of food which is presented as poor and thus the need for agitation of improved conditions (Hirsch and der W 300). They further accused the anarchists that were present in the Canal Zone as being racist since they accused the black workers of undermining labor unity after demanding better working and living conditions. This led to new wars between the anarchists and the black leading to the eruption of some inter-related differences.
Works Cited
Greene, Julie. The Canal Builders: Making America’s Empire at the Panama Canal. New York: Penguin Books, 2010. Print.
Hirsch, Steven, and der W. L. Van. Anarchism and Syndicalism in the Colonial and Postcolonial World, 1870-1940: The Praxis of National Liberation, Internationalism, and Social Revolution. Leiden: Brill, 2010. Print.