Question

What were two primary reasons why the United States sought to acquire Florida from Spain in the early 1800s?

- The United States sought a base from which to attack British colonies in the Caribbean.

- The United States believed that Florida had extensive silver deposits.

- Spain controlled the southern coastline all the way to the Mississippi River, blocking American access to Gulf seaports.

- Spanish Florida was a refuge for people escaping slavery and for dispossessed Native Americans.

Answer 1

- Spain controlled the southern coastline all the way to the Mississippi River, blocking American access to Gulf seaports.

- Spanish Florida was a refuge for people escaping slavery and for dispossessed Native Americans.