Niles' Florida: Defending Our Actions

Volume 2

The Treaty of Ghent has changed the dynamics of relations between Great Britain, Spain, and the United States.  With the war now over, the British must rely on diplomacy to express its displeasure at American actions in Spanish Florida.  They are not happy with the turn of events and sound off loudly about the actions of Andrew Jackson, particularly the executions of British citizens and the invasion of Pensacola.

 

Spain, likewise, submits diplomatic complaints over the actions of the American military in Florida.  The weakness of the Spanish military and government in Florida are recognized as a major contributing factor in the American decision to invade Florida.

 

Yet, it is the fallout from political opposition in the American government that will generate intense acrimony for the next few years.  Andrew Jackson’s political enemies in Washington, D. C., will take him to task for his actions in Florida.