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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The cream of the crop of 19th-century French engineers are trained at what two institutions (the most brilliant at the former, and only its top graduates at the latter)?
(a) Ycole Polytechnique and Ycole des Ponts et Chausyes.
(b) Universite Polytechnique et Paris and Ycole des Ponts et Chausyes.
(c) Ycole des Ponts et Paris and Ycole Polytechnic et Chausyes.
(d) Ycole des Ponts et Chausyes and Ycole Polytechnique.

2. Phillippe Banau-Varilla's Cincinnati civic speech of building a shorter, cheaper alternate to Nicaragua, glosses over mudslides, disease, his stock holdings, and adds what new theme to the debate?
(a) Nicaragua's political uneasiness.
(b) Nicaragua's recurring forest fires.
(c) Panama's lack of pending revolution.
(d) Panama's lack of volcanoes.

3. To eliminate rumors he is terminally ill, Ferdinand de Lesseps goes where?
(a) To stand beside Grover Cleveland at the Statue of Liberty unveiling.
(b) To stand beside Ulysses S. Grant at the Eiffel Tower unveiling.
(c) To stand beside Ulysses S. Grant at the Statue of Liberty unveiling.
(d) To stand beside Grover Cleveland at the Eiffel Tower unveiling.

4. In which book does the author urge no action be taken prior to experts first comparing the pros and cons of all potential routes in connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans?
(a) Exploring for a Navigable Route; An Approach to Connect the East and West in a Practical Manner.
(b) Connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
(c) Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Span.
(d) Joining the West with the East, a Nineteenth Century Essay.

5. Lieutenants Lucien Napoleon-Bonaparte Wyse and Armand Reclus plan a sea-level canal for Central America between Wyse's 1878 and 1879 visits to Washington, while Ferdinand de Lesseps does what?
(a) Returns to the Suez Canal after ten years to examine it for stability and engineering techniques.
(b) Sails for the Isthmus of Panama.
(c) Organizes the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique.
(d) Accompanies Wyse to Washington and New York in early 1879.

6. What is U.S. delegate Admiral Ammen's view of the American canal plan, given at the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique, with a 1,900 foot viaduct over the Chagres River, 12 locks at each end, and costing $94.6 million?
(a) Supports the proposal wholeheartedly.
(b) States it requires only minor modifications.
(c) Declares the whole thing impractical.
(d) Believes the cost estimate could be lowered somewhat.

7. Both Napoleonic types, Philippe Banau-Varilla and William Nelson Cromwell are the "Panama Lobby" spokesmen, the latter a corporate lawyer with a mystery reputation who pulls strings, what is his motto?
(a) "If I had a nickel for every time I heard that."
(b) "Accidents don't happen."
(c) "I don't have time to waste."
(d) "I have not lost a case yet."

8. In what way does author David McCullough find all early 19th-century canal plans preposterous?
(a) Every survey is flawed by incorrect geographic surveys or lack of geological specimens.
(b) Every survey is flawed by inaccurate data and bad assumptions.
(c) Every survey is flawed by lack of effort to gain accurate, applicable data.
(d) Every survey is flawed by failure to consider realistic astrological and geological considerations.

9. Company physicians agree on what as the best advice regarding the maladies associated with Panama?
(a) Leave the Isthmus quickly.
(b) Stay out of the hot sun.
(c) Eat no fruit.
(d) Avoid getting wet to protect against night air.

10. On March 10, 1902, the Morgan Committee reports out the Hepburn Bill favorably, recommending what?
(a) 9-2 a Panama canal.
(b) 10-1 a Nicaragua canal.
(c) 6-5 a Panama canal.
(d) 7-4 a Nicaragua canal.

11. In just over a decade in Panama, the French spend $287 million and expend how many lives?
(a) Some 32,000 lives.
(b) Some 22,000.
(c) Some 42,000 lives.
(d) Some 12,000.

12. Jaques de Reinach is a nominal villain in comparison to whom?
(a) Ferdinand Martin.
(b) Alexandre Ribot.
(c) Ydouard Drumont.
(d) Cornelius Herz.

13. Why is it nearly impossible in the early stages of canal construction to maintain an adequate work force?
(a) Language differences.
(b) Frequent turnover.
(c) High death toll.
(d) High illness rate.

14. The Morgan Committee rejects the Walker Commission recommendations, the Senate debates the issues for two weeks, and Mt. Pelye's explosion and a Nicaraguan stamp turn odds how?
(a) 100-1 odds against Panama into a narrow 42-34 win.
(b) 75-1 odds against Panama into a narrow 42-34 win.
(c) 10-1 odds against Panama into a narrow 42-34 win.
(d) 50-1 odds against Panama into a narrow 42-34 win.

15. Cholera kills 48 of 50 technicians and 150 soldiers and dependents en route to duty in Panama in 1852, yet which Fourth Infantry member survives and becomes President?
(a) Abraham Lincoln.
(b) Andrew Johnson.
(c) Rutherford B. Hayes.
(d) Ulysses S. Grant.

Short Answer Questions

1. A huge dam taming the Chagres changes the slope, increasing the "cube" excavation by how much?

2. Yeas were primarily French, yet A.G. Menocal's analysis of the 1879 Congris International d'Ytudes du Canal Interocyanique canal site vote showed how many were French Society of Engineers members?

3. Before leaving Panama for New York en route to Paris, Ferdinand de Lesseps dismisses all talk regarding the deadly jungle climate and maintains what about the task?

4. What are the three main routes from the East to the West coasts of the U.S. in January of 1848, when gold is discovered in California?

5. When is the sanitation problem remedied at Colon when the town burns to the ground?

(see the answer keys)

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