SW066 West Florida's 1821 Transfer Ceremony at Pensacola Confirmed US Acquisition, Presaged Enduring Conflict with Diverse Peninsular Tribes

<p> Images courtesy of TwoEgg TV. </p> <p></p> <p>We recently podcasted on the 200th anniversary commemoration of the United States taking possession of the Florida territory from Spain. That signing and flag ceremony occurred in St Augustine for East Florida. A week later, Pensacola hosted a similar event for West Florida. Under United States possession, East and West became simply Florida.</p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wHyDcu4uH0</p> <p>At sunrise on July 17, 2021 Chief Dan “Sky Horse” Helms, of Santa Rosa Creek Tribe, offered a blessing in Ferdinand Plaza before the ceremony recreating the exchange of Spanish and American flags, 200 years since the first time.</p> <p>In Pensacola, the University of West Florida’s Symphonic Band played The Star-Spangled Banner and provided a medley of Spanish, British, French and American music. Hispanic musicians drifted through the Village and, just as they did 200 years ago, performers of African descent danced in the plazas. Spanish and English military reenactors mingled with the public for the West Florida Days Living History Weekend event. </p> <p></p> <p>The ceremony 200 years ago was a culmination of sharp diplomatic negotiations sprinkled with outlaw military actions on the American side. It begged the question: Why did Spain part with Florida by 1819 treaty? In addition, what part did border conflicts with the new American republic influence this decision? Even so, why was Spain willing to part with any possession, even one as negligible to its empire as Florida was?</p> <p>An understanding of Spain’s motivations requires a look at Spanish Florida in 1821. What was Pensacola like at this transfer? What was Florida like as a whole? Why were the two sides joined as one territory? What became of the free whites with multicultural backgrounds already living in Florida? What challenges did free blacks have in U.S. Florida?</p> <p>And, as for the Seminole, whether two Floridas or one, why did territoriality bring unnecessary oversight from the Great F