This episode looks at the first Protestant attempt to settle the lands now encompassed by the United States, the French expeditions to Parris Island, South Carolina, and the coast near Jacksonville, Florida. Philip II of Spain was determined to secure the Atlantic coast of La Florida to prevent privateers lurking there from attacking his treasure fleets, and to stop the Protestants from spreading their apostasy in the New World, so he sent an expedition to massacre them. Along the way we consider the very earliest glimmer of republican government, at least in the European intellectual tradition, in the New World.

#VastEarlyAmerica

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Selected references for this episode

Lucy L. Wenhold, "Translation of Manrique de Rojas' Report on French Settlement in Florida, 1564"

Charles E. Bennett, "Fort Caroline, Cradle of American Freedom," The Florida Historical Quarterly, July 1956.

T. Frederick Davis, "Fort Caroline," The Florida Historical Society Quarterly, October 1933.

Theodor de Bry, Images of North America

Charlesfort-Santa Elena Site (Wikipedia)