Why was the Florida territory so important to Spain and the United States?

1 Answer
Feb 8, 2016

Florida held little value to Spain and much to the U.S.

Explanation:

The Seminole tribe and other indigenous tribes had long given Spanish settlers trouble starting in the 16th century. Andrew Jackson, moving southward from George, was constantly battling these tribes. The truth is, Spain was happy to rid itself of having to account for the safety of the Spanish settlers and in a treaty in 1821 ceded it to the United States.

Americans had long been moving into western Florida, Pensacola, and the U.S. was in an expansionist mode already.