The Seminole Tribe

Front

Who were the original ancient tribes in Florida?

Back

The original ancient tribes in Florida were the Apalachee, Calusa, Tequesta, Timucua, and Tocobaga.

Front

What does the name 'Seminole' mean?

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Seminole means wild people or runaway in Spanish.

Front

What happened to the native tribes when Europeans began exploring Florida?

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Disease spread rapidly among the native peoples, wiping out entire tribes within a few years of the arrival of Europeans.

Front

What was the Spanish goal in Florida regarding the native tribes?

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The Spanish wanted to spread Christianity and their culture to the native tribes by building Spanish missions.

Front

How did the various tribes in Florida respond to European colonization?

Back

The various tribes banded together to protect their way of life, forming the Seminole Tribe.

Front

What did the Seminoles do between 1763 and 1783?

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The Seminoles lived in central Florida and along the Gulf of Mexico, built settlements, grew crops, raised livestock, and traded with settlers.

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What are Chickees?

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Chickees are houses built by the Seminoles with a raised floor, open sides, and a covered roof. Some were two stories.

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What led to the Seminole wars?

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Tensions grew when settlers wanted the land in north Florida, but the Seminole did not want to give it up, leading to the Seminole wars.

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What happened to the Seminoles after the Seminole wars?

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More than 3000 Seminoles moved to other parts of North America, while roughly 200-300 remained in Florida.

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Where do the descendants of the Seminoles live today?

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Descendants of the Seminoles live on several reservations in the state of Florida.