The Spooner Act, officially known as the Panama Canal Act, was a significant legislative piece in U.S. history that authorized President Theodore Roosevelt to negotiate the acquisition of canal rights from Colombia. The construction of the Panama Canal was deemed critically important for both military and economic reasons, as it promised to drastically reduce the travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Prior to this, ships had to navigate around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, which was a lengthy and perilous journey. The idea of a canal through Panama dated back to the early 16th century, but it wasn't until the late 1800s that serious efforts were made to construct one. The French initially attempted construction in the 1880s, but they faced significant engineering failures, financial difficulties, and health issues like yellow fever, leading to their withdrawal from the project. The U.S. saw an opportunity following these failures and recognized the strategic importance of a canal for expanding American influence in Latin America and ensuring military mobility.

The Spooner Act was introduced by Senator John Spooner of Wisconsin and passed by Congress amid significant political debate. The act was essential in advancing Roosevelt’s goals of a strong naval presence and control over trade routes. It allowed the U.S. to negotiate a treaty with Colombia to secure a lease for a canal zone, which would later culminate in the eventual construction of the canal. However, Colombia's rejection of U.S. terms led to rising tensions. This discontent eventually contributed to U.S. support for a separatist movement in Panama, leading to an uprising that allowed Panama to gain independence from Colombia and subsequently negotiate directly with the United States, culminating in the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty.