Florida Humanities Council Talks At Home: The Spanish Colonial and Slavery Eras in Florida (On Demand)

The Spanish colony of Florida was established in 1513 with the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon. Subsequent interactions and conflicts between European settlers, indigenous groups, and peoples of African descent established the foundation of Florida’s history and culture. Florida’s status as a “backwater” colony made it an attractive destination for enslaved Africans, enabling them to establish settlements like Fort Mose and other colonies to celebrate freedom.

This conversation explores the complex nature of these interactions and the influence of Spanish, African, and indigenous culture on Florida. This conversation will focus on the Spanish colonial period, from 1513 to 1763; and the slavery era from 1783 until Florida joined the United States as a territory in 1821.