Which landmark project did Theodore Roosevelt promote during his presidency?

The Panama Canal is the landmark project that Theodore Roosevelt promoted during his presidency, significantly impacting global trade and naval strategy. Roosevelt believed that constructing the canal was essential for facilitating maritime travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, allowing ships to avoid the lengthy and perilous journey around the southern tip of South America.

To achieve this, Roosevelt supported negotiations for the United States to control the construction of the canal after a failed French attempt. His administration successfully backed a revolution in Panama, leading to the establishment of Panama as an independent nation and allowing the U.S. to lease the land for the canal's construction. The Panama Canal was completed in 1914 and has since been regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats of the early 20th century, enhancing the United States’ economic and military presence in the region.

In contrast, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in the late 1860s, well before Roosevelt's presidency, while the Appalachian Trail and the Grand Coulee Dam were projects initiated after his time in office. The canal's strategic importance during Roosevelt's presidency and the way he navigated international politics to complete it underscores the impact of his leadership on American infrastructure and global positioning.