Give an explanation of how them Panama Canal benefited the United States.

Considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the panama canal opened for business 100 years ago this Friday, linking to the Atlantic and pacific oceans and providing a new route for intentional trade and military transport. but thousands of workers died during the construction, and its history has seen no shortage of controversy, including a contentious transference of authority from the US to Panama in the 1970s. work recently began on a substantial expansion effort that will allow the canal to accommodate modern cargo needs.