In the Past or the Present, Florida was never Southern

The American South is a geographical entity famous for its unique dialect, a very different way of life, and of course, its fried chicken with black-eyed peas and cornbread. This is the homeland of an array of diverse Americans who can proudly consider themselves “southerners.” The region's fundamental definition lies in its pride of shared history and its peculiar combination of highly traditional cultural traits, a somewhat curious, often elusive blend created by various ethnic groups who have lived together for more than three hundred years. However one such state, large and populous as it is, does not meet this definition fully on. That is the proud state of Florida. Even as the southernmost state in the region, Florida lacks the same uniqueness of its neighbors, and its overall characteristics are more similar to that of eastern states and southern California. Florida originates from a different historical background and its culture greatly differentiates the state from the true Mason-Dixon states. Historically, Florida had usually been the odd one out. To begin, the state’s roots derived from a colony once controlled by the nation of Spain. Unlike the Carolinas under British authority and Louisiana under French rule, Florida was the only state in the south ruled by Spain until the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. As a Spanish territory, Florida maintained an economic and social connection with other Spanish possessions such as Cuba. The effect on Florida can be seen today as many people of Spanish heritage make up a large portion of Florida’s population. Thus this reveals that Florida’s unique ethnic diversity is indeed dissimilar to the highly white and black dominated Southern states. In later historical events, Florida as a Confederate state failed to live up the Southern pride during the Civil War.