Course Reflection

    I want to start by saying this class was very informative, and the unique teaching style made it a lot of fun. This was the most interactive online class I have ever taken. A Land Remembered  was such an interesting book, and I am so happy we read it in this class. Learning about the history of Florida and the many changes it went through to become the place we live today was fascinating. A Land Remembered really put a first hand perspective on the early years of Florida. It was so much fun to follow the lives of Tobias, Zech, Sol and Toby. It was interesting to see how hurricanes, sickness, agriculture, and the relationship between whites and Indians dictated the way of life for the characters in the book. I also learned more about the industrialization of Florida. The book mentioned major roadways, railroads, and real estate tycoons that filled the area. It is crazy to think that there was a time when Miami and Orlando weren't the major cities we think of today. 

    I had never written a blog before but will keep this one bookmarked forever. I think it an excellent way to document a historian's journey. From the visit to Kingsley plantation to the WWII museum at Camp Blanding, I learned so much about Florida and the many tragedies and successes that made it the great state we think of today. I am a hands on learner, so having the chance to visit physical locations really helped me learn. Florida has been through so much between the Civil War, the World Wars, the drama surrounding draining the Everglades and much more. Florida has become such a haven for tourists over the years. From families visiting with young children, to the snow birds that live here in the winter. Florida's sunny weather and unique environmental features have caused it to be loved by many. As we learned from The History of Florida and the Everglade video we watched in class, Florida has a lot of unique wildlife including birds, alligators, and Florida panthers. We also learned about "Pre-Disney" Florida in our podcast, and about some of the attractions we had here before theme parks made their entrance. These include the Parrot Jungle, the Serpentarium, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and Gatorland. I love theme parks, but I really like how the attractions used to be based around the environment they were in. Most restaurants were seafood based since Florida is a peninsula. Most of the other attractions were based on the wildlife that are native to Florida. 

    In The History of Florida, we learned about conflict as a major factor in the creation and continued growth of the state of Florida. When European settlers arrive to Florida, we see growing conflict between Europeans and Native Americans. With the addition of slaves added to the state, we see a unique social system between Native Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans. Much of what we saw related to race followed the rest of the United States, specifically the Southern United States. Florida had slavery up until the end of the Civil War, then had Jim Crow laws, and continued school segregation much longer than most states. In addition to the unsettling treatment of African Americans, poor whites were also treated quite poorly. Poll taxes not only prevented Black Floridians from voting but also poor whites. Women were also treated as second class citizens for many years. From the beginning of European settlement until the Civil Rights Act of 1965, women were both legally and socially discriminated against. While Florida is an amazing state and I am beyond blessed to live here, it is certainly not without its fault and the mistreatment of its citizens are the one true black eye the state has.