Florida and the Spanish-American War

This course examines Florida's pivotal role as the primary staging ground for the Spanish-American War in 1898. You will learn about the rapid mobilization of troops in cities like Tampa, Jacksonville, and Key West, and the logistics of transporting the Fifth Army Corps to Cuba. The curriculum covers the social and economic impact on Florida's frontier towns, the presence of the Rough Riders, and the immense challenges posed by disease and inadequate infrastructure. Participants will gain a factual understanding of how this conflict transformed Florida from a remote southern state into a center of international military significance.