If you recall, France was the first nation to try and construct a Panama Canal. They failed and sold the rights to the US who eventually managed the feat a few years later.

But, what if the French succeeded and built the canal? Certainly they could have retained control of it as the US did up to World War 2. But, at that point...

France falls and the Vichy government takes over. What does the US do here? Does the US invade or otherwise take the canal zone from the French prior to entering the war officially? Would the French fight? Is there a possibility that Japan moves troops in as they did in French Indochina after metropolitan France fell? Would the defense of the canal be as stong as the US had it?

Also, would the US have embarked on a two ocean navy sooner? Would they have made the canal a requirement in size for ships as they historically did?

Some interesting possibilities here.

The French plans for the canal were far inferior to the final product the US accomplished. As an outlying French territory it would have been a primary target for the US when France fell. As big a gooberhead as FDR was in trying to negotiate with the Vichi Gov., I think he still would have taken the canal away from the French. The Panama canal was a strategic mainstay during the war because it was functional. Had the French continued buiding it would probably not even been completed by 1939.

I was going to do this as a new tred but I'll just piggyback here. Assuming the Panama canal remains US how about a French Hawaii. France still has Polynesian territories so they could have colonised Hawaii.
If they went Vichy, would there then be a race between the US, Japan and others to seize the island chain. My guess would be the British and Free French would have a go, with US approval.
Even more interesting would what would happen if Hawaii remained an independent kingdom with a sizeable Japanese settler community

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Those who live by the sword will be shot by those of us who have progressed

Let's keep this on topic. If you want to start a new What If?, send it up the chain for approval. As it is, I don't think it meets the requirements. Check this thread for more information. Changes To What If Thread Creation

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"Faint heart never won fair maiden", so I say "Go for it!"

Lou

The French plans call for sea level canal, contrary to American canal with many locks and a lake between.
French project was technically unrealistic.
Anyway, FDR will take it from French without hesitation. He has done simular thing with French North Africa (operation Torch)

This reminded me that it was 140 years ago this month (Nov. 17th) that the Suez Canal opened officially. Kind of off the original thread direction, but still.

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Happy Trails,
Clint.