How did the United States gain Florida?

Answer 1

Florida was gained when President James Monroe asked Andrew Jackson to look into problems the Georgians had with the Seminole Indians. Instead of looking into it, Jackson invaded Florida and overthrew the Spanish government. Spain then agreed to sell Florida to the United States rather than fight. In 1819, the United States bought Florida for $5 Million.

Answer 2

Southerners were angry because runaway slaves had been escaping to a Spanish territory, Florida, and this made it impossible to get the slaves back since it was not American land. General Jackson entered his troops into Florida with one goal, to take it from Spain. They easily took control and the Spanish surrendered. The US gave Florida back to Spain because President Monroe did not want Jackson to take Florida. But Spain was not off the hook. Monroe told Spain to either govern Florida correctly, or get out. The Spanish, fearful of a war, gave Florida to the US. The US in return gave Spain $5,000,000.