Andrew Jackson had led the U.S. forces against the Creek Indians in 1814, during the War of 1812. After defeating the Creeks, they signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson giving up their land in Alabama, this led to the founding of the state of Alabama a few years later.

The Seminole Indians began noticing American settlers moving further south, into Florida.

When a group of American settlers started a new settlement at Pensacola, the Seminole attacked and killed them. The Seminole then began attacking settlements in southern Alabama.

Andrew Jackson decided to retaliate on behalf of the American settlers without permission from the US government.

Jackson defeated the Seminole and took control of Pensacola and pushing the Seminole Indians into Southern Florida.