The Departmental Age

Creation of the Department of the Isthmus

It is given by means of the decree of February 9, 1822, it was created with the provinces where the former General Command of Panama extended under the Spanish government.

The Amphictyonic Congress of Panama

It arises as a Greek inspiration for Simón Bolívar, with the need for a congress in which the former Spanish colonies were represented. in meetings of Latin American Republics.

Separatist attempts

First Attempt to separate Panama from Colombia La Lealtad de Espinar, on September 26, 1830.


Second attempt to separate Panama from Colombia Alzuru's madness occurred on July 9, 1831.

Tomás Herrera and the State of the Isthmus

Third attempt to separate Panama from Colombia El Exile de Herrera, on November 18, 1840.

Fourth attempt to separate Panama from Colombia Freedom of the slaves, on September 29, 1850.

Proclaimed by Tomás Herrera on November 19, 1840, as a free state of the isthmus.

North American Interests in Panama

Through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty, after Panama was separated, this treaty granted the United States perpetual rights over the control of the Panama Canal and the area.

The California Gold Rush and the Panama Railroad.

The Federal State of Panama


The gold rush broke out in California in January 1848 when a New Jersey carpenter found nuggets of the precious metal on John Sutter's estate. This led Panama to be one of the busiest routes, the transisthmian railway being very helpful for its speed and safety.

Dr. Justo Arosemena, after repeated efforts on February 27, 1855, managed to get the territory to be given a particular organization that would guarantee its well-being and progress.

The Watermelon Slice Incident

It takes place on April 15, 1856, between a Panamanian and an American who refuses not to pay a slice of watermelon to the Panamanian, this unleashed a communal war with a total of 16 dead and 5 wounded.

The French Channel

On January 1, 1880, Ferdinand de Lesseps began the French construction of the Panama Canal, this being a failure and suspending all work on the road on December 31 of that same year.

The Columbus Fire

In the year 1885 revolutionary troops seized Colón and in the fight against government forces, when the revolutionaries withdrew, the city burned down.

Rafael Núñez and the Colombian Constitution of 1886

The new Constitution, established in 1886, was promoted by Rafael Núñez (1825-1894). It was the indispensable piece for his "fundamental regeneration or catastrophe" project, which advocated national unification. Political centralization was complemented by the reestablishment of relations with the Holy See in 1887.

The Thousand Days War

It begins on October 17, 1899, and was caused by bipartisan and conservative clashes to try to gain control of the country.

Victorian Lawrence

Emblematic indigenous leader of the democratic movement, who fought against the injustices committed by the conservative authorities against the Istmeños

The Americans and The Canal

The United States buys the rights from the French company in 1903, having full and perpetual authority over the strip along and across the canal.

The Separatist Movement of 1903

Amador Guerrero takes the lead to carry out the separatist attempt for the new Republic.