The main reason for the construction of the Panama Canal was to facilitate quicker and more efficient maritime trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Prior to the canal’s construction, ships had to navigate the lengthy and perilous route around the southern tip of South America via Cape Horn. The idea of a canal had been proposed since the early explorers' days, but it gained momentum in the late 19th century. Completed in 1914, the canal drastically reduced travel time for shipping and played a crucial role in global trade dynamics. It also had significant geopolitical implications, bolstering U.S. influence in Central America and facilitating military movement during wartime.