Adams-Onis+Treaty+-+Soomin


 * The Adams-Onis Treaty**



Andrew Jackson

Brief History from Wikipedia: The **Adams-Onís Treaty** of 1819[|[1]] settled a border dispute in [|North America] between the [|United States] and [|Spain]. The treaty was the result of increasing tensions between the U.S. and Spain regarding territorial rights at a time of [|weakened Spanish power] in the [|New World]. In addition to granting [|Florida] to the United States, the treaty settled a boundary dispute along the [|Sabine River] in [|Texas] and firmly established the boundary of U.S. territory and claims through the [|Rocky Mountains] and west to the [|Pacific Ocean] in exchange for the U.S. paying residents' claims against the Spanish government up to a total of $5,000,000 and relinquishing its own claims on parts of Texas west of the Sabine River and other Spanish areas.

Dates of Expansion: From the First Seminole War in 1817, Andrew Jackson pressured the Spanish Florida into relinquishing its land. The Adams-Onis Treaty was finalized in February 22nd, 1819, in Washington D.C, but it was not made public till February 22nd, 1821.

How and Why: The decline of the Spanish power in the New World had started a while back, but it wasn't until Andrew Jackson started attacking Spanish forts while trying to fight against escaped African-American slaves, outlaws, and Native Americans that the Spanish Florida felt endangered. Some US Officials disagreed with Jackson's actions, but John Quincy Adams, The Secretary of State under President Monroe, realized the benefit this could bring to the United States and supported Jackson. Adams enforced this upon the Spanish's their angry request at having Jackson punished by replying, "Spain must immediately [decide] either to place a force in Florida adequate at once to the protection of her territory ... or cede to the United States a province, of which she retains nothing but the nominal possession, but which is, in fact ... a post of annoyance to them." (Wikipedia). The Spanish were at a clear disadvantage, since the United Stated owned all the land to the Rocky Mountains, thanks to their recent Louisiana Purchase. Thus, the Spanish had little choice but to relinquish their land, in exchange for a portion of Texas and $5,000,000.

Approval: The Adams-Onis Treaty was more of a forced agreement. The Spanish were at a disadvantage because their power was declining, and the only way they could prevent their land from being completely taken away by force was to compromise. They did receive money and parts of Texas in return, plus they had a "buffer zone" to keep California safe from outsiders, so it was not as bad as it could have been. On the other hand, the US were at an advantage because thanks to their new territory of Florida, they had a clear path to Oregon, which would eventually help them trade with the Pacific powers.

After effects: Thanks to the Adams-Onis Treaty, the war with the Spanish did not take place for another 77 years. But there had been some scuffle amongst the US, Spanish, and Mexicans. While Mexicans were originally not a part of this treaty, they ratified the treaty in 1831 and proclaimed that the northern boundary of California be the 42nd parallel. Later, there was even more disagreement regarding Texas, when the US tried to gain more land by saying that the Sabine and Niches Rivers had been switched on maps, the original boundary. Losing their power slowly, the Spanish eventually lost their power in the New World, whereas the US gained more land and power, forming the great nation of today.

Sources: Wikipedia