Student Briefing Packet for
Inside the Situation Room:
A Presidential Cabinet Meeting
on Andrew Jackson’s invasion of
Florida
Student Name:
______________________
Please open up the packet and wait for the video to begin.
Step 1: Analyzing the Threat (5 minutes)
Everyone in the room should follow along with the Security Briefing Video making sure
to underline three facts about the Seminoles and Florida that you feel especially
concerned about. The teacher will lead a brief discussion lasting no more than five
minutes.
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21 November, 1817,
Seminole Indians ambush an open boat carrying 51 Americans citizens as it travels up
the Apalachicola River toward Fort Scott in Southern Georgia. The Indians butcher 46
people, only 4 get away and one is taken captive. The bloodbath was not an isolated
incident, but rather the latest round in a simmering conflict on America’s border with—
then a Spanish colony.
Spain had very little control over Florida. They maintained very small garrisons; a few
troops, and very little influence over the area. And this meant that various Indian tribes
could raid Southern settlements of the United States and then flee to a sanctuary south
of the border in Florida.
The United States protested to Spain about the problem time and time again. The two
countries even signed treaties to try and stop the cross-border incursions. They were
sabotaged, however, by British agents actively instigating the Indians.
With that new round of violence President Monroe ordered Jackson to take personal
command of the operation. ‘Old Hickory’ now believed that the only way to end the
conflict with the Indians was to seize Florida outright from Spain. He assured President
Monroe he could get the job done in 60 days…if the President so desired.
Step 2: Read - James Monroe, Letter to Andrew Jackson, WASHINGTON, July 19th, 1818
(Adapted) (7 minutes)
Dear Sir,
In calling you into active service against the Seminoles the views and intentions of the
Government were fully disclosed in respect to the operations in Florida. The United States stand
justified in ordering their troops into Florida in pursuit of their enemy. They have this right by the law
of nations. Being inhabitants of Florida with sovereignty over that part of the territory, and a right to
the soil, our right to give such as order is the most complete and unquestionable. It is not an act of
hostility to Spain. It is the less so, because her government is bound by treaty to restrain, by force of
arms if necessary, the Indians there from committing hostilities against the United States.
Attacking a Spanish post would assume another character. It would authorize war, but I am
aware that cases may occur where the commanding general may with safety pass this limit, and with
essential advantage to his country. They will demand that we surrender the posts and punish you.
Should we hold the posts, it is impossible to calculate all the consequences likely to result from it. It is
not improbable that war would immediately follow. Once declared, Britain and other countries, would
threaten our trade. The immense revenue that we now receive would be much diminished. We would
not have a single European power on our side.
Why risk these consequences? The events that have occurred in Florida show the
incompetency of Spain to maintain her authority; and the progress of the revolutions in South America
will require all her forces there. There is much reason to presume that this act will furnish a strong
inducement to Spain to cede the territory, provided we do not wound too deeply her pride by holding
it.
Step 3: Understanding the Issues at Hand (10 minutes)
Through studying previous conflicts, experts have assembled a list of possible outcomes. After
reading Monroe’s letter to Jackson, everyone in the room should choose what consequences they
believe Jackson’s actions could lead to by using the checklist below. The President should lead a
brief class discussion about which factor is most significant or disturbing, and whether the threat is
low, medium, or high.
____
____
____
____
____
____
Do these actions threaten American citizens and/or territory?
Are there land, resources, or power up for grabs?
Does this threaten the American economy or its ability to trade?
Would this threaten good relations with other nations?
Do these actions send a strong message to foreign nations that America is
powerful?
Could these actions be considered illegal?
Based upon the checklist above, what type of threat do Jackson’s actions pose to American
interests?
_____ Low
_____ Medium
_____ High
Step 4: Taking Action (15-20 minutes)
Using the checklist below—as well as your knowledge of world affairs—each advisor
should rank each option (with a “1” going to the best option, to an “6” that
represents the worst option) regarding Andrew Jackson’s actions in Florida.
After completing this worksheet, the Chief of Staff should open the floor for discussion,
culminating with the President choosing his or her top three:
____
A) Contact Spanish ministers to renegotiate treaties.
____
B) Command Andrew Jackson to put an immediate end to military
activity and withdraw from Spanish Florida.
____
C) Command Andrew Jackson to continue his conquest until
Spanish Florida is firmly in American hands and the Seminole
threat is completely eliminated
____
D) Publicly condemn Spain and Britain. Spain for their inability to
control the Seminoles and Britain for allegedly provoking Seminole
attacks
____
E) Make a public apology to Spain and Britain. Spain for callously
invading their sovereign territory, and Britain
____
F) Declare war against Spain and attempt to gain total victory.
Jackson’s actions can be seen as an act of war, so it could be
beneficial to subdue the Spanish before they can retaliate. Not only
would you conquer Florida, but Spanish territories to the West as well.
____
G) Reprimand Andrew Jackson with a court-martial. This would
bring Jackson before a military court to see if he committed any
wrongdoing. This would also satisfy British and Spanish demands to
punish Andrew Jackson.