Why Florida stayed loyal to Britain during the American Revolution

While Americans prepare to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, historians say one of the most overlooked chapters of the Revolutionary War is Florida's role, or more accurately, its decision not to join the fight for independence . On July 4, 1776, Florida was not a single U.S. territory but two separate British colonies: East Florida, with its capital in St. Augustine, and West Florida, governed from Pensacola. Unlike the 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain, both Florida colonies remained loyal to the British Crown throughout the American Revolution, according to historian and author Mike Bunn. Britain controlled Florida from 1763 until the territory was returned to Spain at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, a period of 20 years. According to historian, author and lecturer Roger Smith, Florida's absence from most Revolutionary War lessons stems from one key fact. "Nobody talks about East and West Florida primarily because even though we were a British colony throughout the entirety of the American Revolution, we did not rebel," Smith told CBS News Miami. Why East and West Florida stayed loyal to Britain Historians say several factors influenced Florida's decision to remain loyal to Britain. Unlike the 13 colonies, East and West Florida were largely unaffected by the British Stamp Act and other taxes that fueled resentment elsewhere because the colonies produced relatively little for the British colonial economy. …