How must the Executive and Legislative branches of Government work together toward the ratification of a treaty? Why and how did President Carter cede U.S. control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian Government? Objective To give students an understanding of how President Jimmy Carter and the legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, worked toward the ratification of the Carter-Torrijos Treaties. Background In 1903, the United States received authority to build a canal in Panama and to control the Panama Canal Zone “in perpetuity,” in exchange for annual payments to Panama. By the Duration: 90 Minutes.