1775-1784 - British Florida
The Florida Territory had been under British control since 1763, after which, the territory was split into two colonies: East Florida and West Florida.
Florida had been strategically important for the British, since it served as a supply line to their Caribbean colonies.
The opening up of Florida and early peaceful relations with the Seminoles allowed for the British to openly travel through Florida.
The land was also opened up to British settlers who came to tame the frontier.
By 1775, the start of the Revolutionary War, when the American Colonies were fighting for independence from Britain, all of Florida belonged to the British and those residing there were loyal to the crown.
During the American Revolution, the conflict between Tories (Loyalists) and Patriots led to significant violence and division within communities. Tories tended to be wealthy land owners who wanted to preserve their wealth rather than risk the insecurity of independence. Many Tories faced persecution, property confiscation, and social ostracism. Both West and East Florida remained loyal to the British crown and served as havens for Tories fleeing from the Thirteen Colonies. After the war, approximately 100,000 Loyalists fled to Canada or other British territories, where they were often compensated for their losses. They contributed to Canada's distinct identity separate from the United States.
During the colonial years, the Seminole were on relatively good terms with both the Spanish and the British due to their prolific trade network.
During the Revolution, the Seminole allied with the British.
Seminole and Maroon communities were established on the outskirts of Seminole villages, such as Bowlegs Town on the Suwannee River, an Alachua Seminole village in Paynes Town, Florida, and even one in Okahumpka (north of today's Groveland).
After the United States achieved independence in 1776, American slaveholders were increasingly worried about the armed Seminole and Maroon communities in Florida. They were especially concerned that the Maroons, "runaway slaves", would seek revenge upon the newly forming nation.
Despite several attempts by American forces to capture Florida, the British maintained control throughout most of the war.
These battles highlight Florida's role as a contested area during the Revolutionary War, although it is often overlooked in broader discussions of the conflict.
There were two main battles fought in Florida during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Thomas Creek in 1777 and the Battle of Alligator Creek Bridge in 1778, both of which were British victories against American forces.
American forces attempted to invade British-held East Florida using combined naval and land strategies, including a flotilla of Continental troops and militia cavalry.
However, both battles ended in failure due to poor planning, lack of supplies, and being outnumbered by British and Loyalist forces.
The key outcomes of the battles fought in Florida during the American Revolution included the retention of Florida under British control until the end of the war, as both East and West Florida remained loyal to the British crown.
However, in 1781, Spain invaded West Florida and successfully recaptured Pensacola from the British.
Notably, the Siege of Pensacola resulted in a Spanish victory, leading to Spain ultimately regaining control of Florida after the war.
In 1784, after the American Revolutionary War, Britain came to a settlement with Spain and they transferred East and West Florida back to Spanish ownership.
However, the lack of defined boundaries led to a series of border disputes between Spanish West Florida and the fledgling United States known as the West Florida Controversy.
The Spanish Empire's continuing decline enabled the Seminole to settle more deeply into Florida.
In the 1700s, the Seminoles founded a dynasty of chiefs of the Alachua chiefdom, in eastern Florida, led by Cowkeeper.
By the late 1700s, it is thought that all of the indigenous peoples of Florida were gone, having been replaced by the immigrating Seminole tribe, which had already formed as a unique tribe.
Some historians believe a small group of Timucua may have stayed behind in Florida or Georgia and possibly assimilated into the Seminoles.
At this point, the Timucua disappear from history.
population.