Florida

### Florida and Its History

Florida has a rich and complex history, marked by interactions between various European powers, Native American tribes, and later the United States. Originally explored by the Spanish in the early 16th century, Florida became a hub for European colonialism, with notable Spanish settlements like St. Augustine, founded in 1565, which is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. Over the centuries, Florida changed hands multiple times, eventually coming under U.S. control through the Adams-Onís Treaty with Spain in 1819.

One of the defining elements of Florida's early American history was its series of conflicts with the Seminole tribe. Under the leadership of figures like Osceola, the Seminole people resisted American expansion in the Seminole Wars, a series of three conflicts in the 19th century. These wars were rooted in the U.S. government's attempts to relocate the Seminoles, and the intense guerilla tactics used by the Seminoles in Florida's swampy terrain made these wars some of the most costly and prolonged conflicts with Native Americans in U.S. history.

Florida’s strategic location also made it a focal point during different historical periods. It was a major site during the Civil Rights Movement, such as the Rosewood massacre in 1923 and significant events in cities like Miami, which became a destination for waves of Cuban immigrants, especially after the Cuban Revolution. The state was crucial in the 2000 presidential election, where the infamous "hanging chads" and recount issues in counties like Broward and Palm Beach led to the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision.

Florida’s history also includes famous landmarks like the Florida Keys, tourist destinations such as Disney World and the Everglades, and a strong citrus industry that remains integral to the state’s economy. Its modern political landscape has been shaped by influential figures such as Anita Bryant, who led anti-LGBTQ campaigns in the 1970s, sparking nationwide debates over civil rights.

### Common Clues Across Questions

1. **Adams-Onís Treaty**: This 1819 treaty between the United States and Spain ceded Florida to the U.S., ending Spanish control and formalizing its addition as a U.S. territory.

2. **Seminole Wars**: Florida was the site of three wars between U.S. forces and the Seminole tribe, who, under leaders like Osceola, used guerilla tactics to resist removal from their land.

3. **Osceola**: The influential Seminole leader who resisted U.S. forces during the Second Seminole War and became a symbol of Native American resistance.

4. **St. Augustine**: Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the U.S., reflecting Florida's long colonial history.

5. **Everglades**: A unique and extensive wetland system in southern Florida, where many Seminoles sought refuge during the wars, and a significant ecological area today.

6. **Rosewood Massacre**: A 1923 racially motivated massacre and destruction of a Black town in Florida, which has become an important event in civil rights history.

7. **"Hanging chads"**: During the 2000 presidential election, issues with incomplete ballot punches led to a contentious recount in Florida, ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-Up on Florida

1. Florida was acquired by the United States in the ___1___ Treaty, which ceded control from Spain.

2. The Seminole Wars, fought in Florida, saw resistance from the Seminole leader ___2___, who utilized guerilla tactics in the Everglades.

3. The city of ___3___, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States.

4. The swampy and difficult terrain of the ___4___ region provided cover for the Seminole tribe during their resistance against the U.S. military.

5. The infamous "___5___ chads" became a symbol of the disputed 2000 U.S. presidential election recount in Florida.

6. The ___6___ Massacre in 1923 saw a Black community in Florida destroyed by racially motivated violence.

7. Anti-LGBTQ activist ___7___ led the "Save Our Children" campaign in Florida, sparking national controversy over civil rights.

#### Answer Key for Practice

1. Adams-Onís

2. Osceola

3. St. Augustine

4. Everglades

5. Hanging

6. Rosewood

7. Anita Bryant

Here are the recurring references, clues, or plot points in questions about Florida, organized by frequency:

1. **Adams-Onís Treaty** - 29 occurrences: The treaty in which Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819.

2. **Seminole Wars (including references to First, Second, and Third Seminole Wars)** - 28 occurrences: A series of conflicts in Florida involving the Seminole tribe and the U.S. government, often highlighting the leadership of Osceola.

3. **St. Augustine** - 26 occurrences: The oldest permanent European settlement in the United States, founded by the Spanish in Florida.

4. **Osceola** - 23 occurrences: A prominent Seminole leader who resisted American forces during the Seminole Wars and was famously captured under a flag of truce.

5. **Fort Mose** - 20 occurrences: The first free black settlement in what is now the U.S., established in Spanish Florida as a refuge for escaped slaves.

6. **Andrew Jackson’s invasions or campaigns in Florida** - 18 occurrences: Andrew Jackson's military actions in Florida, including his role in the First Seminole War and his campaign to seize Florida for the United States.

7. **Treaty of Payne’s Landing** - 16 occurrences: A treaty that aimed to relocate the Seminoles from Florida to Indian Territory, leading to resistance and conflict.

8. **Ponce de León and the Fountain of Youth** - 14 occurrences: Juan Ponce de León’s expedition to Florida, where he allegedly sought the Fountain of Youth.

9. **Everglades** - 12 occurrences: Florida’s vast and swampy Everglades region, which served as a refuge for the Seminoles during the wars.

10. **Henry Flagler and the Florida East Coast Railway** - 10 occurrences: Henry Flagler’s development projects in Florida, including the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway, which spurred economic growth.

11. **Dade Massacre** - 9 occurrences: An 1835 ambush by Seminoles on U.S. troops under Major Francis Dade, which marked a significant conflict in the Second Seminole War.

12. **Mariel Boatlift and Cuban refugees** - 8 occurrences: The 1980 exodus of Cubans who arrived in Florida, particularly Miami, impacting the state’s demographics and culture.

13. **Rosewood Massacre** - 6 occurrences: A violent racial attack on the Black community in Rosewood, Florida, in 1923, which resulted in the destruction of the town.

14. **Voting irregularities in the 2000 presidential election (e.g., "hanging chads," butterfly ballots)** - 6 occurrences: The controversial recount process in Florida that ultimately decided the 2000 U.S. presidential election in favor of George W. Bush.

15. **Fort Caroline and Huguenots** - 5 occurrences: A French Huguenot settlement in Florida that was destroyed by the Spanish as part of colonial conflicts.

16. **Negro Fort** - 5 occurrences: A settlement of escaped slaves and freed Blacks destroyed by U.S. forces under Andrew Jackson during his military actions in Florida.

17. **Billy Bowlegs and the Treaty of Payne’s Landing** - 4 occurrences: Billy Bowlegs was a Seminole leader who resisted relocation under the Treaty of Payne’s Landing, leading to further conflict with the U.S.

18. **Liberty City and Arthur McDuffie riots** - 4 occurrences: The 1980 race riots in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood, sparked by police brutality against Arthur McDuffie.

19. **The Johns Committee and anti-gay campaigns** - 4 occurrences: The Johns Committee in Florida, known for its investigations into civil rights and homosexuality, as well as the “Purple Pamphlet.”

20. **Anita Bryant and the Save Our Children campaign** - 4 occurrences: Singer Anita Bryant's campaign against gay rights in Florida, which led to boycotts of Florida’s orange juice industry.

These clues cover significant historical events, figures, and cultural aspects of Florida, from early colonial conflicts and Native American resistance to modern political controversies and social movements. Florida’s history is marked by its role as a battleground in colonial and Indian conflicts, its unique cultural and demographic influences, and its place in key moments in American political history.