Perspectives affecting Florida Life

Differences between the British perspective and Spanish perspective affect Florida life in a complex way. Most notably, the religious differences between the British and Spanish can change ones perspective. The British believe in the Anglican Church, whereas the Spanish believe in the Catholic Church. The Spanish used the Catholic Church in Colonial Florida as a means to spread their views to their slave, and even went as far as freeing their slaves who converted to Catholicism. The British would never have considered freeing their slaves. A slave in the colonial period of Florida is much more likely to want the Spanish to be in control. The Florida natives also would have preferred the Spanish rule to the British rule. The Spanish made it a point to help the Natives to prevent them from attacking, whereas the British were involved in constant fights with the Natives. A plantation owner would have enjoyed success under stable rule, which was seen under the First Spanish Period.

Why can we Characterize Florida as a multicultural frontier?

Why can we characterize Florida as a multicultural frontier? It’s hard not to think of Florida in a multicultural sense either today or in colonial frontier time, due to the ever changing political powers, the influx of slaves, and settlers. As we learned with the readings there are lots of cases of slaves and settlers being brought in whether from Spanish, British, Greek, German, Irish, or African descent. This doesn’t even include the multiple indigenous Indian tribes. Each of these sets with their own religious views, values, and customs. Even during the Spanish period we see how diverse the culture is with the social classes of mixed heritage, which ranges from African, Spanish, and Indian. There is also due to the change from Spanish to British ownership an influx of people from other European descents as indentured servants and just settlers. All these factors bring out a rise in the multicultural Florida frontier. This trend is still visible today too as seen with all the immigrants located here in Florida.

When I think of Florida History, I mean...

When I think of Florida history, I mean the survival of the land, political changes, early plantations, cracker cowboys, cattle drives, and of course the ever present hot climate. I think of how overgrown and rugged the landscape was, a land overflowing with wild animals. Florida attracted original settlers once upon a time to build and cultivate the land from the bottom up with its promise and multitude of available land. But Florida history for me especially entails St. Augustine and Castillo de San Marcos, a favorite fort of my Father, which underwent multiple changes in the area between Spanish and British control. But with that Florida history was a troubling and difficult period with lots of political and economic development which most don’t seem to realize. Whether through our fickle government changes or the hope for a harvest and a booming crop, the history of Florida was harsh. Yet with the difficulties faced there will always be this attraction to Florida whether in the past for monetary gain and land or now for tourism and Disney World. Florida historically has almost always had this mythical appeal to it that brought explorers to it whether the search was for land, wealth, a beginning, or even the Fountain of Youth, Florida has and seems to always bring more people.

Florida as a multicultural Frontier

We can characterize Florida as a multicultural frontier because it has been a place where a lot of cultures have come together. Florida is a very diverse state. Florida has cities that have been innovative in allowing other cultures to incorporate their cultures into Florida cities. Many Cuban refugees have fled to Florida and they make up a large percentage of the population. Cubans make up an even larger part of the Miami population which has many Cuban cultural aspects to it. Also many people have moved to Florida from Puerto Rico. There is a large influence of Puerto Ricans especially in Central Florida. Many other people of Hispanic descent also live in the Florida area. Florida has also developed cultural influx due to its large tourism industry. When people from other regions of the United States or other countries come to Florida the state ends up offering cultural options that appeal to the tourists from their given region. All of the examples above are great examples of why we can characterize Florida as a multicultural frontier.

Florida the Multicultural Frontier

Florida without a doubt is a multicultural frontier. Florida's frontier included Spanish, British, Native Americans, Greek slaves, Irish Slaves, and African Slaves. There are multiple Native American tribes that are indigenous to Florida, including the Seminole tribe. The Spanish brought over Roman Catholic Church that helped to shape the town of St. Augustine, as well as protect escaped, British slaves as long as they converted to Catholicism. The Spanish also brought over African slaves, which added to the cultural of Florida. The British brought over the Anglican Church, as well as Greek Slaves. The Irish, Greek, and African slaves all have different cultural tendencies. The Greeks were Orthodox Christian, The Irish were Catholic, and the African slaves believed in their tribal culture. Florida's multiculturalism is not the most equal, but nonetheless shows that their are a multiplicity of religions and cultures in the area.

When I Think of Florida Historty I think Of

When I think of Florida History, I mean I think of the history of the twentieth century and onward. I always think of things such as Disneyworld and current events. I have only been to Disneyworld twice. One time when I was around ten I went to Disneyworld and around last December I went to Disneyworld for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Florida history also brings to my mind Palm Beach and South Florida. I've been to Hobe Sound and quite frankly I thought it is very nice. With Palm Beach I always think of the glitz and glamor of Worth Drive. I also do think of Florida history that's less recent. Ponce de Leon comes to mind and the search for the fountain of youth. With regards to current events I tend to think of the total collapse of Charlie Crist’s senate campaign. I also think of the fact that I really dislike Rick Scott. I do not think he’s the most qualified person to be governor of Florida. I feel his ties to the medical industrial complex (also known as the medical industry) could create a lot of conflicts.

Thinking of Florida History Means

When I think of Florida History, I mean an optimistically troubled past. Florida has been a prize in multiple wars, and struggled with slavery throughout its early history. Florida was under Spanish control from 1565 to 1763 under what is called the First Spanish Period. After the Seven Year War, or French and Indian War, Florida was ceded to the British. The British controlled the land from 1763 to 1783. However, the American Revolutionary War caused the British to lose control of Florida due to the Treaty of Paris. This created the Second Spanish Period that lasted from 1783 to 1821. Slavery was a constant throughout the early years of Florida’s History. Slavery was especially harsh under the British Period. The British attempted to make large plantations as they had done previously with territories like Georgia and South Carolina, but because of an unstable government the plantations were never as successful as the other Deep South plantations. Under Spanish rule, Slavery was not as harsh, even though it is still being a horrible practice. British Slaves sought refuge in Florida, specifically in Fort Mose, the first free black town, during the First Spanish Period. By the time the British took over, twenty-five percent of the blacks that lived in Fort Mose and St. Augustine were free. In short, slavery and wars are the reason Florida History is an optimistically troubled past.

RP 300 Florida History: From Frontier to Sunbelt __ It Starts Here!

The new semester means new classes for myself and my colleagues. This is especially interesting semester for me as I'm coming back from sabbatical to teach in the Rollins Plan. The Rollins Plan (RP) is a curricular pilot that is designed to provide an integrative general education curriculum centered around a theme. As a member of the Global Challenges RP and an historian, I'm naturally teaching a history course on Florida. Look for this blog to be a space for experimentation and clarification related to the Florida experience.

WikiCity – How Citizens can Improve their Cities | This Big City

WikiCity – How Citizens can Improve their Cities | This Big City

I'm coming back to teach in the Fall semester. One of my classes will be the RP 300: Florida History. A major new class exploring Florida history. Given the RP's goal is to use Florida to explore hemispheric issues, I'm thinking about how local issues link to bigger problems. How does the WikiCity concept connect to Florida? The insurgent grassroots effort to repair and reclaim public spaces to make them more liveable has plenty of examples in Florida. Everything from new urbanist development to urban gardening can be found in the state.