User blog comment:Sparklyplatypus/"Are You Smarter Than an Xth Grader?"/@comment-3257430-20111116023407/@comment-799379-20111116185836

11th grade. I think he got the Panama canal by helping that region gain its independence. Panama became a country in return for him building a canal there. I also think he wanted it so boats could get around South America faster, easier for trade.