Southern Territories
Aside from the boom of pioneers heading west, there was a mass influx of settlers heading to the south as well. The territories that would become Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana grew dramatically during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
One area of particular interest was the territory that would become Florida. The United States would acquire Florida from the Spanish in 1795 with the signing of the Pinckney Treaty. The Pinckney Treaty, which was named after American diplomat Thomas Pinckney, who drew up the agreement, resolved several issues:
- The southern boundary of the United States was set at 31°N latitude, leaving Florida under Spanish rule.
- United States citizens would be allowed free use of the Mississippi River through the Spanish territory.
- Spain and the United States agreed to control the Native Americans living within each country’s territory.