Draining the Everglades Notes

Everglades

5000 years ago, everglades were formed. Indigenous people adapted to this climate. Florida gets a lot of rain and lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in the South. Lake Okeechobee has no rivers to drain. Florida doesn’t have changes in elevation. Everglades was formed from the lake draining. The Kissimmee chain brought river water into the lake. Called the River of Grass. 100 miles in length and 60 miles wide. Water in everglades flows so slow. The ecosystem is diverse since there’s salt and fresh water available. The water contained a lot of phosphorus from the runoff from companies. The Calusa tribe were the main Indians in this area. 1847, Buckingham Smith, was tasked to survey the Everglades. He concluded it could be drained for 500K at the time. He said the Everglades could be drain with canals to the gulf and the Atlantic. Political battles and civil war caused this process to lose interest. Hamilton Diston land purchase was supposed to Drain the land. Broward proposed to drain the everglades for 1$ an acre. Water will run downhill was his campaign slogan. He began governor of Florida and his focus was draining the everglades. He wanted to make it useful for cultivation. Conservationism was geared towards wise use. Teddy Roosevelt supported building Dams and proud of reclamation act. Their idea of conservationism was growth. Supported hunting the bloombird in the everglades. Broward’s plan was to build a canal to St. Lucie River. His plan was not feasible. He dredged canals through Broward County. It made a rising Star in politics. The government wanted to help drain the everglades. James’s wrights made errors in calculation from rainfall and other ecological concerns. He began Florida chief engineer. Northerners set up farms south of Okeechobee. Southeast Florida grew in the 1920s. They experienced the roaring 20’s with the south Florida real estate boom. They also experienced the bust of late 1920’s. Hurricanes destroyed homes and killed many people in 1926 and 1928. Communities south of the lake were flooded. 2.5 thousand people were killed, most African American. Fall 1928 Herbert Hoover supported flood support operations. 20 million dollars were put into the lake’s dykes. Water was cut off from flowing into the everglades. It caused a lot of disruptions and fires. 1 mil acres burnt in 1939. Views started to change when Marjorie Douglass wrote about preservation of the Everglades.

Earnest Co was a designer who help put together the Everglades National Park. He proposed 2 mil acres. Political circumstances changed the results. 1947 the park was created. The same year a lot of flooding happened in SWFL. Federal involvement increased to control the water problem. CNF project was a flood control plan. 1960s the Everglades was the most messed up park. In the 60’s and 70’s projects became skeptical. 1990’s a lot of the wetland were gone, and birds were gone. 1994 everglades forever act was supposed to reduce pollutants. Economy and population were affected. Comprehensive restoration Act by Bill Clinton to restore the Everglades.

Big Sugar Cornell Summary

SUMMARY

Everglades agriculture

Government would help the sugar industry before the draining of the wet land by Soil, labor problems, reducing output of sugar, keeping sugar prices high. Hamilton Dilston grew sugar in central Florida in 1890s. There was a .2c tariff on sugar at the time. In1893 the sugar bounty was repealed and in 1896 Dilston died. Harley Wiley, Agricultural scientist conducted sugar experiments and said America needed to produce more sugar. Cuba was modernizing sugar production after the war. In 1903 The ISCGS said they would revive the economy with Sugar. Roofus Rowes said Florida should pursue wetland drainage but WW1 Slowed the drainage process. Sugar came from Cuba but America wanted to be self-sufficient. WW1 was a boom in sugar. After WW1 sugar went up in price then slumped. In 1920 Pennsylvania sugar company bout land of 15,000 acres, and in 1929 130,000 acres of land to grow sugar. They were producing 4,000 tons of sugar a day. Charles Stewart Mott turned southern sugar company into USSC. There was many Problems with drainage and laborer’s. Mostly done by hand with machetes. Agriculture became controlled by USDA and in 1930 Agriculture became controlled by corporations. Sugar growers were given an amount they could grow and the next 40 years the sugar was controlled government with a quota system. Big sugar labor practices were questionable and Relied mostly on African American Labor which paid low wages. In 1937, Migratory division set up camps in Belle Glade Florida. FBI showed USSC had plantation villages that didn’t aligned with their image and regulators were working for the companies they were regulating. They forced Labor, had Killings, and paid low wages. They used armed guards and corporal punishment. USSC had labor shortages from the news of these practices. WW2 diverted African Americans away from agriculture which Brought Caribbean workers to pay low wages and hard labor and Exempt from American laws. Public law 45. 1943 authorizes Us government authorize Caribbean workers to work but could not leave. Section H2, of the law was implemented. Fanjuls were big sugar company from Cuba, after Castro revolution. Alfy Jr. started a massive sugar empire in Florida. In 1971 the Sugar act supposed to remain in place for 3 years but Nixon’s Watergate scandal disrupted the process. In 1981 Regan supported sugar price supports on falling prices. Regan endorsed sugar prices to increase and in 1985, Food Security act keep sugar price above world price, Decreasing imports. Americans would pay 1.5 Billion a year from the Sugar Laws. In 1995, food prices were cut but not for sugar. In 1996 Dan Miller, challenged big sugar privileges. Big sugar started targeting Miller and lobbying for his opponents. The Fanjul Family represent, Domino, Florida crystal. Etc. They are known to sucker Haitians to come work under harsh conditions. They earn 2 dollars a day and are prevented from growing gardens. The Fanjuls give a ton of money to both political parties. Alfy is a democrat and has relationships with the Clintons, and Jose “Pepe” Fanjul has a relationship with the Bushes. The contribute 450 thousand dollars on average. For their workers, a Code 1 meant they refused to work and need to be deported. US labor reported several violations but Department of Arg exonerated them. The dog war was 1986 at Fanjuls plantation. Palm beach cops were brought in, and 400 workers were deported. In 1995 H2 program ended. In, 1970s experts were researching effects of back pumping the used water into the lake. They were told to stop so they started pumping water straight into the everglades. Phosphorous started to destroy the everglades and cause many agricultural issues. Sugar industry used ½ of the water in the south and paid 1% of the tax.

 

Chapter 15 Worksheet

 

Chapter 15 – Reconstruction & Renewal      

Name: Steven Stallone

Who is the author of this chapter and what information can you find about the author elsewhere in the text?      

The author of Chapter 15 is Jerrell H. Shofner.

 

According to this chapter, lists 2 things that were in desperate need of “reconstruction” 

 

Two things that were in desperate need of reconstruction were the government and Civil rights laws. President Johnson permitted most former confederates to participate in forming a new government (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). Governor Marvin registered white males and called an election for a new constitution. Slavery, debts from the confederacy, and the succession from the union were repudiated by a legislature (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). The newly formed Florida government was comprised of white confederates which caused concerns in Washington. Anderson J. Peeler wanted to preserve the institution of slavery and laws were passed that discriminated against black citizens. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262). Congress and President Johnson developed a depraved relationship causing congress to enact a civil rights law and gave authority to the U.S Army. Congress eventually would implement its own reconstruction plan after President Johnson’s failure and martial law was reinstated. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 264).

 

Florida stands apart from other areas of the South in the way that General Newton handled two main areas: politics & freedmen.  Discuss both.

 

General Newton instructed Florida planters to assemble their former slaves and pay them in harvest to remain on the plantations (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 260). This was an emergency measure by the U.S Army that was implemented so people would have food for the winter. The legislature was legitimized and would cause controversy over the legal status of freemen but it was back by military order. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

Demand for cotton was (increasing or decreasing) during the early years of reconstruction.

                                                    CIRCLE ONE              

 

 

White And black farmers alike were given a new structure in which to run their land (called by 3 different terms in the text).  What is one of the names of this new agricultural system used by the author?

One of the names of the new agricultural systems is Sharecropping (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

What 2 issues engulfed Florida as well as the entire nations, just as Lincoln feared it would?

Two issues that engulfed Florida as Lincoln feared it would was Florida’s readmission to the Union and the status of freedmen as citizens (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

 

Shofner describes a very sticky situation in regards to President Johnson restoring land ownership to former confederates.  Reflect on how this affects the statewide condition at the time.

 

The Direct Tax Commission allowed the foreclosure and sale of Confederate property within Union lines. It transferred Confederate property to Unionists, many of whom were freedmen. When President Johnson restored ownership to Confederates it caused a struggle in the reconstruction of Florida because the property was being occupied by black citizens and Unionists. The issues remained until the 1890’s. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 261).

 

 

 

 

What does the text mean about Lincoln’s “non-punitive ideas”?

The author is implying that President Johnson would follow Lincoln’s plans and allow the confederates to participate in creating a new government to maintain Florida’s status as part of the Union. Instead of punishing the Confederates, he would allow them to rebuild Florida but as part of the Union.

 

 

 

 

We know that “Black Codes” took shape despite the efforts of the Freedman’s Bureau.  Discuss the ways that Florida fell into the practices.

Legislature complied and presented by Anderson J. Peeler discriminated against black citizens by not letting black citizens testify in cases among whites and substituted corporal punishment for fines and imprisonment for blacks convicted of crimes. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 262).

 

 

 

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1865 so ineffective?

The Civil Rights Act of 1865 was so ineffective because of the constant battle between President Johnson and Congress. President Johnson proceeded with the “Presidential Reconstruction” without calling congress into a session which caused congress to recognize the President’s efforts. President Johnson was unwilling to compromise on the revisions needed to his plan which caused congress to pass the civil rights laws. Since there was so much division, General Ulysses S. Grant was stuck in the middle of following the orders of the President and the laws of congress. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 263).

 

 

What legislative measures marked the end of martial law in Florida?

 

President Johnson vetoed the civil rights laws and proclaimed an end to the “insurrection” with the intention of removing Martial Law. Congress voted to override the President’s veto of the Civil Rights Act because the President was unwilling to readmit the succeeded states without promising fair treatment to freedmen (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 263).

 

 

Describe the internal divisions that developed in Florida during the reconstruction years.

Since there was no government, the military took it upon itself to start giving orders. When voting began and political positions started filling up with Confederates, they began to enact laws that were different from that of the Union. President Johnson and Congress were in a political clash causing citizens and leaders to be confused on what laws to follow or what direction the state was headed. Laws were unclear causing military leaders like General Foster to resign. When congress enacted their own plan, Floridan’s were divided over what course to follow. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 264).

 

 

 

What 2 measures were taken by conservative whites to prevent Freedmen from exercising their rights to suffrage?

Conservative whites denied credit and land rentals to freedmen who voted republican. Vigilantes used violence and intimidation to discourage or prevent black from excising their voting rights. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268).

 

 

 

What is the contrasting difference between reconstruction effects in middle and peninsular Florida?

 

Southerners liked the idea of an unsettled region where they could escape the conditions of the political and racial conflict in Middle Florida. Middle Florida was under martial law and violence and disorder remained a serious problem. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268).

 

 

 

When Shofner turns from reconstruction to renewal, list industries and individuals who played a role.

Magazines, newspapers, and railroad companies were sending reporters to view this new Florida Paradise. Hubbard Hart carried passengers and freight up the Saint Johns River via a line of steamers (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 268). Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house became a tourist attraction as well as Hart’s opening of the Ocklawaha River to Silver Springs in 1873. Henry S Sanford was an investor and founded the town Sanford. (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 270).

 

 

 

The late entry of what industry had a negative impact on Florida’s renewal?

The railroad industry was the missing link in Florida’s renewal and the states Internal Improvement Fund was unable to use its millions of acres of public land as incentive to potential builders because of a lawsuit that prevented it for conveying clear titles (Shofner. J, 2018, p. 270).

 

The political temperature in Florida changed dramatically in the renewal years.  Expound on that and include the one negative piece of legislature that added to already active Black Codes.

White Conservatives and Republicans continued to battle for seats in political position. Political assaults ensued between the parties causing newly settled Floridan’s to vote for split tickets. Presidency disputes caused a deadlock in Washington and lead to the end of the Reconstruction of Florida. Republicans slowly lost pollical status in Florida the Democrats. The Democrats voted for a constitutional convention in 1884 that enacted a Poll Tax by 1889. This law kept most black voters away from the polls.

(Shofner. J, 2018, p. 274).

 

REFERENCES

Shofner, J. H. (2018). Chapter 15 Reconstruction and Renewal, 1865-1877. In The history of Florida (p. 262). essay, University Press of Florida.

 

A Land Remembered: Gold Doubloons

 The Gold Doubloon

 In the novel A Land Remembered, the currency that the MacIveys were paid was the gold doubloon.

The gold doubloon was a Spanish gold coin that, at the time, was worth four dollars. It weighed apx. 6.7 grams of 22 karat solid gold. The word comes from the Spanish doble "double".

Doubloons are usually referred to as sunken pirates' treasures. They were widely used in the 1500's-early 1900's. Since no formal machine was used, the gold coins often contains discrepancies and imperfections.

Tobias kept his gold doubloons in his chest that was hidden in his cabin. With Tobias not knowing, Zech would take the doubloons to the trading post and buy big plots of land in Florida. The land was so cheap, Zech would be able to buy tens of thousands of acres of land for very cheap. Gold is very heavy which made transporting large amounts difficult. Tobias would pay Skillet and Frog in doubloons for helping to herd the cattle to Punta Rassa. Unfortunately, there wasn't much for them to do with the money at the time. That's what prompted Zech to start using the gold to purchase land and the fact that other companies were buying up land and making cow herding difficult.

CURRENT GOLD PRICE

Currently, gold is $1,670 per ounce or about $55 per gram. The gold doubloon was traded at just .60c

per gram or $16.80 per ounce. That is a huge increase in the gold price. Gold doubloons themselves are worth even more today because of their rarity. 

One Spanish doubloon on eBay can sell for $3,450. That is a big difference from just $4 of its original worth.

Gold is a chemical element with the Symbol Au. It is a naturally occurring element. It usually occurs in a free elemental form such as nuggets, grains, or rocks. It is resistant to most acids and is the most malleable of all metals. It is considered a precious metal and is a relatively rare element. Gold coins ceased to be minted as a circulating currency in the 1930's. A single gram of gold can be beaten into  11 sq. feet. Since it is a good conductor of heat and electricity, in today's industry, it is often used in electronic devices.

 

References

Doubloon - definition, meaning & synonyms. Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/doubloon

APMEX. (2022, May 24). What are gold doubloons? What are Gold Doubloons? Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://learn.apmex.com/learning-guide/numismatics/what-are-gold-doubloons/