From that initial time and point of contact, Florida has seen successive waves of immigration. They included both French and Spanish settlements during the 16th century, as well as entry of new Native American groups who migrated from elsewhere in the South, and free blacks and fugitive slaves, who became known as Black Seminoles.
In 1521, Ponce de León returned to Florida in a bid to establish a permanent Spanish colony. However, hostile natives attacked his expedition soon after it landed; the party retreated to Cuba, where Ponce de León died from wounds he suffered during the battle.
Permanent Spanish colonization of the peninsula began at St. Augustine in 1565. At various times during the 18th and 19th centuries, Florida came under colonial rule by Spain, France and Britain.
In 1763, Spain traded Florida to Britain in exchange for control of Cuba, which had been captured by the British during the Seven Years’ War. Nearly the entire Spanish population left, taking along most of the remaining indigenous population to Cuba. The British divided the territory into East Florida and West Florida.
In 1819, the territory passed into U.S. control under the terms of the Florida Purchase Treaty between Spain and the United States. The treaty was negotiated by John Quincy Adams, the secretary of state under President James Monroe, and the Spanish foreign minister Luis de Onís y González-Vara, during the reign of King Ferdinand VII.
Florida became an organized territory of the United States on March 30, 1822. The Americans merged East Florida and West Florida and established a new capital in Tallahassee, located halfway between the East Florida capital of St. Augustine and the West Florida capital of Pensacola.
Some 23 years later, in 1845, Florida was admitted to the Union as the 27th state.
SOURCE: WWW.HISTORY.COM
As a seasoned expert in history and specifically knowledgeable about the historical trajectory of Florida, I can confidently discuss the intricacies of the information presented in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of primary sources, scholarly research, and a passion for unraveling the historical tapestry of regions like Florida.
The article traces the historical development of Florida, beginning with the early contacts in the 16th century. It mentions the successive waves of immigration, encompassing French and Spanish settlements, the influx of new Native American groups from the South, and the emergence of Black Seminoles, consisting of free blacks and fugitive slaves. This highlights the diverse and dynamic nature of Florida's early population, shaped by interactions between European settlers and indigenous peoples.
One pivotal moment in Florida's history is the attempted establishment of a permanent Spanish colony by Ponce de León in 1521. Unfortunately, his expedition faced hostility from native populations, leading to a retreat to Cuba where Ponce de León succumbed to wounds from the encounter. The narrative then shifts to the successful permanent Spanish colonization at St. Augustine in 1565, marking a significant turning point for Florida.
The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed colonial rule over Florida by Spain, France, and Britain at different times. The Seven Years' War in 1763 resulted in Spain ceding Florida to Britain in exchange for control of Cuba. This led to the departure of the Spanish population, accompanied by much of the remaining indigenous population, to Cuba. The British subsequently divided Florida into East Florida and West Florida.
In 1819, Florida transitioned to U.S. control through the Florida Purchase Treaty between the United States and Spain. The treaty, negotiated by John Quincy Adams and Spanish Foreign Minister Luis de Onís y González-Vara, placed Florida under U.S. sovereignty. Florida officially became a U.S. territory on March 30, 1822. The merger of East Florida and West Florida was accompanied by the establishment of Tallahassee as the new capital.
Ultimately, Florida achieved statehood in 1845, becoming the 27th state in the Union. This comprehensive historical overview, sourced from www.history.com, provides a nuanced understanding of Florida's complex past, shaped by colonization, territorial shifts, and cultural interactions.
