Spanish in North America

Africans as slaves to the new world.

Jan 1, 1501

Africans were needed as slaves for labor in North America. Spanish mainly took Africans from the west coast and put them on a ship for a month long journey calledthe middle passage.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Apr 2, 1513

Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida on this day. He was accompanied by free Africans, Juan Garrido and Juan Gonzalez.

First Africans

Sep 29, 1526

The first Enslaved Africans were brought to North America by Lucas Vazquez de Allyon expedition. He then established the first european settlement of San Miguel de Gualdape, which is now Georgia.

Panfilo Narvaez

Nov 19, 1528

Panfilo Narvaez tried to settle near present day Tampa Bay. Many problems occured during the settlement. Lack of supplies and hurricanes made the settlement a failure.

Survivors

Jul 1, 1536

There were only 4 survivors from the Tampa Bay settlement. They wandered around the wilderness for 8 years. Eventually, the ended up in Mexico and the Pacific. Estevanico, an African slave , trys to communicate with natives learning survival skills.

Hernando de Soto

May 1, 1539

Hernando de Soto explored Florida and many parts of present day south eastern United States. He travled with free and enslaved Africans. Hernando went to: Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.

St. Augustine

Sep 8, 1565

St. Augustine is the oldest permanent city in the USA, whcih was established by Spain. About 600people, including 50 slaves lived there. Some of the slaves quickly escaped into the surrouunding wilderness.

Runaway Slaves

Jan 1, 1683

Spanish government in Florida give freedom to all runaway slaves from the English colonies, to the north. However, slaves had to convert to Roman Catholicism.

Escaping to Florida

Jan 1, 1737

Hundreds of slaves from Georgia and the Carolinas escape to Florida as a result of the Spanish government decision.

Fort Mose

Jan 1, 1738

Francisco Menendaz, who was an escpaed slave from the Carolinas, agrees to help defend Florida from the British in exchange for freedom. Fort Mose was established, and wasthe first black settlement in present day USA, only two miles from St.Augustine.

Fort Mose Captured

Jun 20, 1740

English invades capture Fort Mose, in a bloody battle. Blacks and Spainards eventually recaptured it

Spain Trades

Feb 10, 1763

Spain trades Floridato English in exchange for Havana, Cuba, which spain had lost during the Seven Years War. This is part of the Treaty of Paris.This resulted in large rice and indidgo plantations pop up along the St.Johns River in East Florida. Thoudnands of slaves are imporrted from Africa or south from other colonies.