Abstract EN:

From 1501 onwards the existence of the interoceanic passage sealed the fate of the panama isthmus, at first economically then politically, a geographic area was built up around this strategic crossroads between two oceans, in 1850, this "centre of the world" was brought into north america's sphere of influence. On 18th november 1903, the herran-hay gave the united states exclusive control over the management and security of the canal, which became a veritable enclave, being thus subjected to both the direct influence of the north americans, the main providers of employment, and to more specifically latin american currents of opinion, the panamanian labour movement was necessarily of a district kind. Despite elements in commo, with the other latin americanlabour movements (chronology of structures and forms, and similar methods), the panamanian labour movement was characterized by two original features : the very nature of the working class itself and its relations with nationalism, its beginnings correspond to the setting up of the infrastructures aimed at developing the country's geographic importance and not the exploitation of its mining or agricultural resources, this was the original vice of the panamanian labour movement. Ruling class and exploited class were perceived in relation to the presence of the americans and not in relation to the national bourgeoisie. Thus the panamanian labour movement had very close ties with the nationalist movement, although it never completely identified itself with it and was able to keep its own independence and raison d'etre.