After defeating Spain, America had already gained control over Cuba and Puerto Rico, but the fighting had delayed the construction of the Panama Canal, which had been the main concern since since the beginning of the imperialist movement. With the annexation of Hawaii and acquisition of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippine President Theodore Roosevelt aggressively pursued construction of the canal. After convincing Britain to no longer pursue construction of the canal, President Roosevelt purchased the French rights to Panama for forty million dollars. For the Colombian side, President Roosevelt offered ten million dollars and an annual payment of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Columbia, however, was not interested because France's rights to Panama were expiring and if Columbia could block the deal, it should receive the forty million dollars since Columbia would retain the rights to Panama after those expired. of France. In response to this President Roosevelt, with the help of a Frenchman, started a revolt in Panama against Colombia and then prevented Colombian troops from entering Panama and Columbia surrendered. In 1904 Panama became an American protectorate and the Panama Canal was built there