How were the Americans hostile towards the territory of Florida?

Americans were hostile towards Florida primarily due to its status as a Spanish territory, which they viewed as an impediment to their westward expansion. The presence of enslaved people escaping to Florida and the threat of Native American tribes allied with Spain heightened tensions. This hostility culminated in conflicts like the First Seminole War (1817-1818), where American forces invaded to assert control. Ultimately, these tensions contributed to the U.S. acquisition of Florida through the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1819.