Florida - A Historical Gateway To America

Florida was discovered on March 27, 1513, by Juan Ponce de Leon who claimed it for the king of Spain. He had come in search of gold and the Fountain of Youth; he found neither, butÊnamed it La Florida, the Land of Flowers. The Europeans (Spanish, English, French) engaged in a succession of bloody conflicts and diplomatic maneuvers to possess the land, subduing the native inhabitants, and trying to convert them to Christianity. Unfortunately they also introduced diseases which were catastrophic for the natives. In 1819 the UnitedÊStates acquired Florida after the Napoleonic Wars. Led by General Andrew Jackson the army brutally overthrew the Seminoles (their strongest opponents) and other tribes, andÊeventually introduced slavery. <br><br> This video covers the history of the state under the explorers, the plight of the native Indians during their forced resettlement, the commercial development of Florida- which began in 1880 through millionaire entrepreneur Henry Flagler, and the present problems of the state as it struggles to redress problems of overpopulation and tourism.

This film is not part of a series.

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• University: $195
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