Who benefitted from the U.S. acquisition of Florida from Spain?

Fur traders, who benefitted from the removal of the Spanish fur trade
Planters, who were able to expand plantations and Southern culture into Florida
Seminoles, who were able to purge communities of enslaved persons who ran away
Textile mills, which benefited from an increased population pool of workers

1 answer

The primary beneficiaries of the U.S. acquisition of Florida from Spain were the planters, who were able to expand plantations and Southern culture into Florida. The acquisition of Florida allowed for the expansion of agricultural activities, particularly in cotton and sugar production, which were crucial for the Southern economy.

While fur traders might have seen some benefits from the changes in trade dynamics, the significant impact on agriculture, settlement patterns, and the subsequent social and economic development of the region primarily favored planters. The Seminoles experienced displacement and conflict as a result of the acquisition, and textile mills did not directly benefit in the same way as planters.