Adams-Onis Treaty | DAILY BELLRINGER

Summary

The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty or Florida Treaty, was a pivotal agreement between the United States and Spain. It ceded Florida to the U.S. while resolving border disputes. The treaty followed years of tensions, particularly involving Native American resistance and U.S. annexation efforts. The U.S. assumed $5 million in claims against Spain, while Spain retained certain trade privileges. The treaty also saw Spain relinquish claims to Texas and territories north of the 42nd parallel. It was ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1821, formally making Florida a U.S. territory and eventually a state in 1845.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819 (also known as the Transcontinental or Florida Treaty) gave the United States control of Florida from Spain.
• 😀 The name 'Florida' originates from the Spanish word 'florido', meaning 'full of flowers', named by Spanish explorer Ponce de León.
• 😀 Spain established its first colonial settlement in Florida in 1565 at St. Augustine, marking the beginning of its long history in the region.
• 😀 Spain lost Florida to Britain after the French and Indian War in 1763 but regained it in the Treaty of Paris of 1783 after the American Revolution.
• 😀 Relations between the United States and Spain became strained over the following decades, particularly concerning land boundaries in Florida.
• 😀 The U.S. annexed parts of Western Florida in 1810 and 1812 but Spain still refused to cede the rest of the peninsula.
• 😀 By the mid-1810s, Spain, weakened by the Peninsular War and revolutions in its Latin American colonies, was in no position to defend Florida.
• 😀 During the First Seminole War, General Andrew Jackson led U.S. troops into Spanish-controlled Florida, targeting the Seminole tribe.
• 😀 In 1817, U.S. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams negotiated with Spanish envoy Luis de Onís, aiming to secure Florida for the U.S.
• 😀 The treaty, signed on February 22, 1819, involved Spain ceding Florida to the U.S. without a purchase price, while the U.S. assumed $5 million in claims against Spain.
• 😀 The treaty also defined borders, with the U.S. giving up claims to parts of Texas, and Spain relinquishing any claims north of the 42nd parallel.
• 😀 Although ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1819, Spain delayed approval until October 1820, requiring a second U.S. Senate vote before the treaty took effect in 1821.
• 😀 Florida officially became a U.S. territory in 1822 and joined the Union as the 27th state on March 3, 1845.

Q & A

What was the Adam's-Onis Treaty of 1819, and what did it accomplish?

The Adam's-Onis Treaty of 1819, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty, Spanish Cession, or Florida Treaty, gave the United States control of Florida from Spain. The treaty resolved territorial disputes, with Spain ceding Florida and the U.S. assuming $5 million in claims by American citizens against Spain.

What historical events led to the need for the Adam's-Onis Treaty?

The treaty emerged from a series of events, including Spain's weakening control over Florida due to military struggles in Europe and revolutions in its Latin American colonies. The U.S. also faced ongoing issues with Native American resistance in Florida, particularly from the Seminole tribe, which led to tensions and military actions like the First Seminole War.

How did Spain's relationship with Florida evolve over time before the Adam's-Onis Treaty?

Spain first explored Florida in the early 1500s, establishing the first colonial settlement in 1565. Despite having control over Florida for centuries, Spain faced significant challenges maintaining authority due to Native American resistance and changing geopolitical dynamics, including losing Florida to Britain in 1763 before regaining it in 1783.

Why did the United States believe parts of Florida should be included in the Louisiana Purchase?

President Thomas Jefferson argued that parts of Florida were part of the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This was due to geographical proximity and the need to clarify borders between U.S. territory and Spanish Florida.

What role did Andrew Jackson play in the situation leading up to the Adam's-Onis Treaty?

Andrew Jackson played a significant role during the First Seminole War (1817–1818) by leading American troops into Spanish-controlled Florida to deal with Seminole raids. His actions escalated tensions, prompting the U.S. government to push for Spain to relinquish control of Florida.

Who was Luis de Onís, and what was his role in the treaty?

Luis de Onís was the Spanish envoy or representative negotiating with U.S. officials, particularly John Quincy Adams, during the treaty talks. He played a key role in the discussions, ultimately agreeing to cede Florida to the U.S. as part of the treaty.

What were the main stipulations of the Adam's-Onis Treaty regarding territory?

The treaty required Spain to cede Florida to the U.S. without a purchase price, while the U.S. assumed $5 million in claims by American citizens against Spain. It also involved Spain giving up any claims to territory north of the 42nd parallel, while the U.S. gave up claims to parts of Texas.

Why did Spain delay the approval of the treaty, and what impact did this have?

Spain delayed approval of the treaty to use it as leverage in negotiations over U.S. involvement in revolutionary movements in Central and South America. This delay led to the treaty being ratified twice by the U.S. Senate, first in 1819 and again in 1821 after Spain approved it.

How did the Adam's-Onis Treaty affect the relationship between the U.S. and Spain?

The treaty helped stabilize U.S.-Spain relations by resolving territorial disputes, particularly over Florida. It allowed the U.S. to expand its territory while Spain gained trade privileges for a limited time. The treaty also marked the end of Spain’s control over Florida, setting the stage for future U.S. expansion.

What were the long-term effects of the Adam's-Onis Treaty on Florida and the U.S.?

The Adam's-Onis Treaty led to the U.S. officially gaining control of Florida, which became a U.S. territory in 1822 and later a state in 1845. It also solidified U.S. claims to the region and helped resolve ongoing border disputes, contributing to the broader expansion of the U.S. into the American West.