Florida's History

Native American culture flourished in Florida until arrival of Europeans. Conflicts arose between the Europeans, Native American, and among other competing European nations.

When Florida became a aprt of the U.S Native Americans were relocated.
Florida became a slave state first and then a member of the confederacy the Civil War.

About 12,000 years ago Native Americans arrived in Florida. These people were nomads, moved from place to place, following their food supply. Native Americans who came and lived in Florida developed agricultural, villages, trade, and political and religious systems.
Two highly organized farming groups, the Apalachee and the Timucua lived in North Florida. The Calusa who came from South America, lived along the SW Gulf Coase and dominated South Florida.  

Ponce De Leon, a spanish explorer arrived in April 1513. He called the area, La Florida, Feast of Flowers.

Many Spanish Explorers tried to settle in Florida but failed. The French were also interested in Florida, they also failed. Spain entered the Seven Years War, known in America as the French and Indian War. In 1762 the British captured Havana, Cuba and to get it back Spain ave up Florida to the British in 1763.

 After the American Revolution, the American colonies won their independence Florida was returned to Spain in 1783.

In lot of problems arose which erupted a war, the First Seminole War (1817-1818). General Andrew Jackson led the U.S to quick victories in Fl and South Ga.

Spain finally gave Fl to the U.S 1821.

Jackson, the new territorial governor, wanted to develop the region and felt that Seminole wasn't going to allow. The second Seminole War began over the question of whether or not the Seminoles be forced to move to Okalahoma. In 1837 General Zachary Taylor tricked Osceola by calling a truce and when he surrendered he was arrested. Osceola died in prison.


Florida became a state in 1845. For a bried time African Americans were allowed to vote but when Federal
trooped left in 1877, southern legislatures enacted discriminatory laws. African Americans lost thier voice in government for almost 100 years.

In the 19th Century, Henry Flager developed the Fl East Coast railroad down the peninsula into and across the Fl Keys. This created hotels and communities along the way.  

Tourism grew in the early 1900s, a major land boom began. Hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 hurt the economy. and a fruit fly invasion in 1929 cut cittrus products by 40%, The onset of the Great Depression urt Fl in 1929. In 1950 America's space program was established ay Cape Canaveral bringing more growth to Fl.

In 1971 Walt Disney World opened, the first park was Magic Kingdom.

Florida entered the 20th Century as the 4th most popular state!