In what way did the outcome of the spanish-american war lead to the building of the panama canal?
spain's defeat meant that thousands of workers from cuba and puerto rico would now be free to work on the canal.

panama gained its independence under the treaty of paris, and the panamanians believed building the canal would bring economic growth.

american territories now stretched from the caribbean sea to the pacific ocean, and a canal would make governing its new lands easier.

the american victory led to the spooner act, which allowed the united states to buy the spanish company that had already begun work on the canal.