Hi, I’m the History Guy. I have a  degree in history and I love history,  
Hi, I’m the History Guy. I have a  degree in history and I love history,  

and if you love history too,  this is the channel for you.
and if you love history too,  this is the channel for you.

The human penchant for violence is fairly  obvious when you understand that there are actual  
The human penchant for violence is fairly  obvious when you understand that there are actual  

historical events called the War of the Bucket and  the War of the Stray Dog that were actually wars  
historical events called the War of the Bucket and  the War of the Stray Dog that were actually wars  

that were precipitated by a fight over a bucket  and a fight over a stray dog. And when you look  
that were precipitated by a fight over a bucket  and a fight over a stray dog. And when you look  

in the annals of war started for trivial things,  you really do have to consider the 1856 Watermelon  
in the annals of war started for trivial things,  you really do have to consider the 1856 Watermelon  

War. And even though war is really not an  appropriate title, it was really more of a riot,  
War. And even though war is really not an  appropriate title, it was really more of a riot,  

the fact that a riot that size could be spurred  over a five cent piece of watermelon, really  
the fact that a riot that size could be spurred  over a five cent piece of watermelon, really  

gives a good illustration of how small things can  precipitate large events. And not only that but  
gives a good illustration of how small things can  precipitate large events. And not only that but  

the 1856 Watermelon War is a great illustration  of an important piece of the history of American  
the 1856 Watermelon War is a great illustration  of an important piece of the history of American  

intervention in Central and South America in the  19th century, and it deserves to be remembered.
intervention in Central and South America in the  19th century, and it deserves to be remembered.

To understand the Watermelon War you have to  start by understanding the importance of the  
To understand the Watermelon War you have to  start by understanding the importance of the  

Isthmus of Panama to American history. America  acquired the territory of Alta California from  
Isthmus of Panama to American history. America  acquired the territory of Alta California from  

Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo after  the end of the Mexican War in 1848. And that  
Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo after  the end of the Mexican War in 1848. And that  

seemed to fulfill America's dreams of Manifest  Destiny, we were truly a bicoastal nation,  
seemed to fulfill America's dreams of Manifest  Destiny, we were truly a bicoastal nation,  

but there was a problem and that is that there  was no simple way to get from the population  
but there was a problem and that is that there  was no simple way to get from the population  

centers on the east coast to the new territories  on the west coast. And the best way to do that  
centers on the east coast to the new territories  on the west coast. And the best way to do that  

was not actually to try to cross the vast American  Center, which was still wild and had very little  
was not actually to try to cross the vast American  Center, which was still wild and had very little  

route of transportation, but instead to take  a steamer from the east coast to Panama. Cross  
route of transportation, but instead to take  a steamer from the east coast to Panama. Cross  

Panama at its narrowest point and then take  another steamer from Panama to California.  
Panama at its narrowest point and then take  another steamer from Panama to California.  

And thus the Isthmus of Panama, which was at  the time part of the country of New Granada,  
And thus the Isthmus of Panama, which was at  the time part of the country of New Granada,  

was strategically and economically important  to the United States because it saved the  
was strategically and economically important  to the United States because it saved the  

freight and passengers from having to take  the difficult and dangerous route all the way  
freight and passengers from having to take  the difficult and dangerous route all the way  

around South America to get to California.  And to secure that interest, in 1846 the  
around South America to get to California.  And to secure that interest, in 1846 the  

United States signed a treaty with New Granada  which was called the Bidlack-Mallarino treaty.
United States signed a treaty with New Granada  which was called the Bidlack-Mallarino treaty.

New Granada, which included at the time both  the modern-day countries of Colombia and Panama,  
New Granada, which included at the time both  the modern-day countries of Colombia and Panama,  

interests in signing this treaty was to protect  their claims to the area that's called Panama.  
interests in signing this treaty was to protect  their claims to the area that's called Panama.  

It was a restive little republic, there were  frequent rebellions and the government was  
It was a restive little republic, there were  frequent rebellions and the government was  

afraid that some European power would realize  the economic importance of the territory of  
afraid that some European power would realize  the economic importance of the territory of  

Panama and so it would involve themselves in  one of these rebellions in order to take Panama  
Panama and so it would involve themselves in  one of these rebellions in order to take Panama  

away. US interests were represented by the US  Minister to Panama, a man named Benjamin Bidlack,  
away. US interests were represented by the US  Minister to Panama, a man named Benjamin Bidlack,  

and essentially what the treaty did is it granted  America transit rights across the Isthmus,  
and essentially what the treaty did is it granted  America transit rights across the Isthmus,  

and in exchange, we recognize new Grenada's claim  to the territory of Panama, and we promise to use  
and in exchange, we recognize new Grenada's claim  to the territory of Panama, and we promise to use  

US military force to guarantee the neutrality  of the Isthmus of Panama. What this was really  
US military force to guarantee the neutrality  of the Isthmus of Panama. What this was really  

intending to do was to use the threat of US  military force to prevent European powers from  
intending to do was to use the threat of US  military force to prevent European powers from  

involving themselves in the internal affairs of  New Granada. But in practice what it ended up  
involving themselves in the internal affairs of  New Granada. But in practice what it ended up  

doing was giving the United States an excuse to  use the threat of US military force to involve  
doing was giving the United States an excuse to  use the threat of US military force to involve  

ourselves in the internal affairs of New Granada.  And in 1847 Congress first voted to subsidize a  
ourselves in the internal affairs of New Granada.  And in 1847 Congress first voted to subsidize a  

mail steamer route which would carry US mail from  the east coast to the Atlantic coast of Panama,  
mail steamer route which would carry US mail from  the east coast to the Atlantic coast of Panama,  

and pick up that mail on the Pacific coast with a  different steamer and carry that to San Francisco.  
and pick up that mail on the Pacific coast with a  different steamer and carry that to San Francisco.  

But a crossing across Panama at the time was not  exactly easy. The Panamanian rainforest receives  
But a crossing across Panama at the time was not  exactly easy. The Panamanian rainforest receives  

an average of a 130 inches of rain a year,  and so traveling across the Isthmus of Panama,  
an average of a 130 inches of rain a year,  and so traveling across the Isthmus of Panama,  

even at its narrowest point, included a dangerous  and risky ride in a native dugout canoe, up the  
even at its narrowest point, included a dangerous  and risky ride in a native dugout canoe, up the  

unpredictable Chagres River, and then a long ride  on a mule train through disease-infested jungles,  
unpredictable Chagres River, and then a long ride  on a mule train through disease-infested jungles,  

often on washed out roads. And the entire path was  frequented by bandits who would rob the travelers  
often on washed out roads. And the entire path was  frequented by bandits who would rob the travelers  

and disappear off into the rainforest. The obvious  answer was to build a railroad across Panama,  
and disappear off into the rainforest. The obvious  answer was to build a railroad across Panama,  

and as early as the 1820s, engineering  studies were done to see if that was  
and as early as the 1820s, engineering  studies were done to see if that was  

possible. And it really seemed like it wasn't.  The terrain, jungles and forests and mountains,  
possible. And it really seemed like it wasn't.  The terrain, jungles and forests and mountains,  

was simply not conducive to trying to build  railways. But the economic potential was so  
was simply not conducive to trying to build  railways. But the economic potential was so  

vast that an American company, between 1849 and  1855, managed to build the Transoceanic Panama  
vast that an American company, between 1849 and  1855, managed to build the Transoceanic Panama  

Railway. At the time, the astronomical cost  of three million dollars. It was a marvel of  
Railway. At the time, the astronomical cost  of three million dollars. It was a marvel of  

engineering to build across all that terrain but  it was extremely dangerous, and it was fraught  
engineering to build across all that terrain but  it was extremely dangerous, and it was fraught  

with disease and as many as 10,000 workers died  building the Panama Railway. And those bandits  
with disease and as many as 10,000 workers died  building the Panama Railway. And those bandits  

we talked about, who were called the darieny,  plagued the construction of the railway. They  
we talked about, who were called the darieny,  plagued the construction of the railway. They  

were constantly robbing the railway workers, and  so finally the railway company hired a former  
were constantly robbing the railway workers, and  so finally the railway company hired a former  

Texas Rangers name was Randolph Runnels, and with  the tacit approval of both the New Granada and  
Texas Rangers name was Randolph Runnels, and with  the tacit approval of both the New Granada and  

the American government he took a bunch of  railway agents and he tracked down captured  
the American government he took a bunch of  railway agents and he tracked down captured  

and publicly hung the bandits and thus he earned  the terrifying nickname El Verdugo, The Hangman.
and publicly hung the bandits and thus he earned  the terrifying nickname El Verdugo, The Hangman.

With the new railway you could cross Panama by  train in just about five hours. And on April 15th  
With the new railway you could cross Panama by  train in just about five hours. And on April 15th  

1856, a group of about a thousand passengers,  most of them Americans, were taking that route.  
1856, a group of about a thousand passengers,  most of them Americans, were taking that route.  

They were dropped off on the Atlantic coast by the  mail steamer USS Illinois, and they were going to  
They were dropped off on the Atlantic coast by the  mail steamer USS Illinois, and they were going to  

take the train across to the Pacific coast, where  they would be picked up by the mail steamer John L  
take the train across to the Pacific coast, where  they would be picked up by the mail steamer John L  

Stevens. But trouble started at the very beginning  because when they got off the boat in Panama,  
Stevens. But trouble started at the very beginning  because when they got off the boat in Panama,  

apparently the passengers bought copious amounts  of alcohol, and a five hour train ride later,  
apparently the passengers bought copious amounts  of alcohol, and a five hour train ride later,  

they were all well inebriated. And then  when they got to Panama City, they had a  
they were all well inebriated. And then  when they got to Panama City, they had a  

wait. See Panama City wasn't a deepwater port,  and the ships could not anchor in Panama City,  
wait. See Panama City wasn't a deepwater port,  and the ships could not anchor in Panama City,  

they had to anchor out at islands in the bay, and  he had to take a ferry across to those islands.  
they had to anchor out at islands in the bay, and  he had to take a ferry across to those islands.  

But the ferry could only operate at high tide,  and so the train arrived around 7:00 but the  
But the ferry could only operate at high tide,  and so the train arrived around 7:00 but the  

passengers, who were all drunk in Panama City,  could not catch their ferry until around 11:00.
passengers, who were all drunk in Panama City,  could not catch their ferry until around 11:00.

The trouble was all started by a drunk American  named Jack Oliver. Oliver took a slice of  
The trouble was all started by a drunk American  named Jack Oliver. Oliver took a slice of  

watermelon from a street vendor and refused to pay  the price of five cents. The vendor grew angry and  
watermelon from a street vendor and refused to pay  the price of five cents. The vendor grew angry and  

eventually drew a knife on Oliver, and so Oliver  drew a revolver. And someone in the crowd tried  
eventually drew a knife on Oliver, and so Oliver  drew a revolver. And someone in the crowd tried  

to tackle Oliver, to take away his revolver, and  it went off and struck someone else in the crowd,  
to tackle Oliver, to take away his revolver, and  it went off and struck someone else in the crowd,  

and that sparked a riot. Where essentially, the  Native Panamanians ran all over town destroying  
and that sparked a riot. Where essentially, the  Native Panamanians ran all over town destroying  

foreign businesses and attacking anyone who didn't  look like a local. The police were called and at  
foreign businesses and attacking anyone who didn't  look like a local. The police were called and at  

first it looked like they might be able to get  control of the crowd, but in all the fighting,  
first it looked like they might be able to get  control of the crowd, but in all the fighting,  

a shot rang out from the train station which  was American owned and struck one of the  
a shot rang out from the train station which  was American owned and struck one of the  

police officers, and so the police joined in the  riot. So you've got a mob attacking the station,  
police officers, and so the police joined in the  riot. So you've got a mob attacking the station,  

and the station that's packed full of Americans  that are seeking shelter, but who are also mostly  
and the station that's packed full of Americans  that are seeking shelter, but who are also mostly  

armed, and so it looks like it's going to be a  bloodbath. When within the middle of all of this,  
armed, and so it looks like it's going to be a  bloodbath. When within the middle of all of this,  

a train pulls up. The station manager had  used the Telegraph to call the railway for  
a train pulls up. The station manager had  used the Telegraph to call the railway for  

help. And out of the train, with a bunch of armed  railway agents, stepped El Verdugo. And Runnels  
help. And out of the train, with a bunch of armed  railway agents, stepped El Verdugo. And Runnels  

stood up to the crowd and said, “Put down your  weapons!”. And his reputation was so powerful,  
stood up to the crowd and said, “Put down your  weapons!”. And his reputation was so powerful,  

that essentially the mob just ran away and the  riot ended. In the end, 15 Americans were killed  
that essentially the mob just ran away and the  riot ended. In the end, 15 Americans were killed  

and two native Panamanians were killed, and  the government of New Granada eventually made  
and two native Panamanians were killed, and  the government of New Granada eventually made  

a settlement of around $400,000 to pay to  the families of the dead and the damage to  
a settlement of around $400,000 to pay to  the families of the dead and the damage to  

the stores and to the train station. All over a  slice of watermelon that cost just five cents.
the stores and to the train station. All over a  slice of watermelon that cost just five cents.

But the real question is why the  population was willing to riot so easily,  
But the real question is why the  population was willing to riot so easily,  

and the answer is that there was a lot  of tension because of the economy. When  
and the answer is that there was a lot  of tension because of the economy. When  

the railroad was being built there was lots of  work, but as soon as the railroad was completed,  
the railroad was being built there was lots of  work, but as soon as the railroad was completed,  

all that work building the railroad went away. And  the employees that were left with the railroad,  
all that work building the railroad went away. And  the employees that were left with the railroad,  

operating the railroad and its stations were  mostly Americans. And all those people who  
operating the railroad and its stations were  mostly Americans. And all those people who  

made their living supporting the crossing across  Panama, the people that wrote those dugout canoes,  
made their living supporting the crossing across  Panama, the people that wrote those dugout canoes,  

the people that led those mule trains, the people  that operate the many hotels and restaurants along  
the people that led those mule trains, the people  that operate the many hotels and restaurants along  

the way all were out of work. Unemployment  was high and the population blamed America,  
the way all were out of work. Unemployment  was high and the population blamed America,  

and that's why the riot occurred. But the  strategic importance of Panama to America  
and that's why the riot occurred. But the  strategic importance of Panama to America  

hadn’t reduced, and because of the riot and  justified by the Bidlack-Mallarino Treaty,  
hadn’t reduced, and because of the riot and  justified by the Bidlack-Mallarino Treaty,  

America demanded military concessions, which  included the right to build military bases on  
America demanded military concessions, which  included the right to build military bases on  

the islands off of Panama City. And the US would  continue to occupy military bases in Panama,  
the islands off of Panama City. And the US would  continue to occupy military bases in Panama,  

clear until 1999. And justified by the treaty,  America would engage in a number of military  
clear until 1999. And justified by the treaty,  America would engage in a number of military  

interventions in Panama until eventually America  supported a revolt against New Granada to create  
interventions in Panama until eventually America  supported a revolt against New Granada to create  

an independent Panamanian state, because we  thought that that would be easier for us to  
an independent Panamanian state, because we  thought that that would be easier for us to  

get permission to dig the Panama Canal. And of  course that revolutions exactly what the Bidlack  
get permission to dig the Panama Canal. And of  course that revolutions exactly what the Bidlack  

Mallarino treaty was signed, in order to prevent.  And so, that slice of watermelon would continue  
Mallarino treaty was signed, in order to prevent.  And so, that slice of watermelon would continue  

to impact affairs in the region for more than a  hundred years, and it deserves to be remembered
to impact affairs in the region for more than a  hundred years, and it deserves to be remembered

I'm the History Guy and I hope you enjoyed this  edition of my series, five minutes of history,  
I'm the History Guy and I hope you enjoyed this  edition of my series, five minutes of history,  

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