Is there a shared culture between Native Americans, Europeans and Africans in Florida

There is indeed a shared culture between Native American’s, Europeans, Africans in Florida. There are many examples of this. For one they all grew up in relative close proximity so they had many interactions. They also practiced similar traditions. Religion was important in all of their cultures although separate. The Native Americans did not practice Christianity. The Europeans were Christians. Africans often times had practiced similar forms of Christianity to the Europeans but it was a broken off sect of a similar group. All of the groups owned slaves in Florida including some free blacks. There was much trade and commerce between all three groups. It is true that at times there were conflicts between these groups especially between Native Americans and Europeans and slave owners and the slaves. Native Americans taught the Europeans information about the environment and Europeans provided Native Americans with tools that improved the Native Americans’ livelihood.

British vs. Spanish Perspective

Differences between British and Spanish perspectives in frontier Florida, such as those towards Religion, African Americans, and work ethic, had expansive affects on the then-current populations. The Spanish’s strong inclination to Catholicism and its importance led to a better treatment of blacks. The harboring of fugitive slaves who converted to the religion saved countless African lives. The Spanish had an overall more relaxed view towards slavery, which allowed for better living conditions and gave slaves incentive to work hard in hopes of malumission. The British’s more rigid approach created deplorable conditions for slaves, and offered little if any opportunity for free blacks. The British had a driven mindset that often utilized huge levels of cash flow, killed off slaves or workers, and eventually turned large profits. The Spanish’s more thoughtful approach allowed for longevity of their plantations and families and supported better living conditions for all those involved.

Florida, a Multicultural Frontier

From the day the Spaniards arrived in Florida to today, this land has always been multicultural. From the first Spanish period to the British period to the second Spanish period, there was a constant flow of peoples of different nationalities coming in and out of the state. Native Americans, white European indentured workers, enslaved Africans fresh from the other side of the world or the Carolinas, and land owning British and Spanish whites all interacted in Florida. Separate cultures clashed, melded, and soon created a multicultural frontier. This tradition persists today as this state attracts individuals and family units from the world over

Differences between the British perspective and Spanish perspective...

Differences between the British perspective and Spanish perspective affect Florida life by making distinct classes or a more melting pot community. Spanish frontier Florida shaped a multicultural Florida since slaves were allowed to come to Spanish territory and prove they believe in the Catholic Faith and God through converting. Once they converted they were allowed to be free, own property and live like the Spanish settlers for the most part. Unlike in British frontier Florida where there wasn’t a way out of the slave system therefore leaving slaves to live in their own communities drawing up this difference in race and society. Life in the British Florida was a life that only benefited the white way of life with African slaves doing the grunt work to better the lives of their masters. This view in the British life caused a more worrisome lifestyle where they held a fear of losing control of these slaves that do everything for them. Spanish life brings a communal society that slaves would never be able to obtain otherwise in the new land. This community that was built allows a calmer perspective with less fear of conflict within their communities to be built up. Spanish continually had a higher tolerance and ability to work more peacefully to build their communities and made connections with the slaves and even Indians rather than conflict.

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.