Question

multiple choice 1 point
why did president theodore roosevelt feel that building the panama canal had become a military necessity for the united states?
the panama canal could be fortified and used as a defense against an invasion from south america into central america.
the us acquisition of guam, the philippines, and puerto rico meant the us navy would need to defend territories in both oceans.
relations between the united states and mexico had deteriorated and a canal would allow the us navy to enforce a blockade of mexico.
there were no shipyards on the west coast of the united states, so the canal was needed to move warships to the pacific ocean.

Explanation:

Theodore Roosevelt saw the Panama Canal as crucial due to the US's new - found overseas territories like Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. This expansion meant the US Navy needed to operate and defend in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the canal would facilitate quicker movement of naval forces between the two.

Answer:

The US acquisition of Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico meant the US Navy would need to defend territories in both oceans.