Well, I know that the Spanish didn’t fail altogether in Florida, because I still live in one of their settlements: St Augustine, established in 1565. It’s the oldest European settlement in what is now the US.
Pensacola was settled before St. Augustine. Unfortunately no one knows what happened to them. It was later settled for sure.
Santa Fe begs to differ, and the point of contest is the word “continually.”
Crazy days back then. What history, for both cities.
Ft. Caroline would have been a year older, but they were wiiped out by the settlers of St. Augustine.
Is there anything left of that 1565 settlement?
The earlier Florida settlement is at Ft Caroline at Daytona Beach/ Mayport. It was French
St Agustine was established to destroy Ft Caroline
Also, Santa Fe New Mexico precedes St Agustine.hs
Actually, Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, was established in 1563/64 by French Huguenots (Protestants). Spanish conquistador Menendez came with a fleet of ships and a thousand men the next year, conquored the Huguenot settlement—and after the battle, when the French civilians refused to convert to Roman Catholicism...SLAUGHTERED THEM ALL. Then Menendez went back and established St. Augustine.
This was before the onset of the religious wars in Europe—where later tens of thousands were killed for their religion—and Menendez’ slaughter shocked even jaded Europeans.
Something around 500 French Protestants were executed by the founder of St. Augustine...