<P> The extent of Spanish Florida began to shrink in the 1600s , and the mission system was gradually abandoned due to native depopulation . Between disease , poor management , and ill - timed hurricanes , several Spanish attempts to establish new settlements in La Florida ended in failure . With no gold or silver in the region , Spain regarded Florida ( and particularly the heavily fortified town of St. Augustine ) primarily as a buffer between its more prosperous colonies to the south and west and several newly established rival European colonies to the north . The establishment of the Province of Carolina by the English in 1639 , New Orleans by the French in 1718 , and of the Province of Georgia by Great Britain in 1732 limited the boundaries of Florida over Spanish objections . The War of Jenkins ' Ear ( 1739 - 1748 ) included a British attack on St. Augustine and a Spanish invasion of Georgia , both of which were repulsed . At the conclusion of the war , the northern boundary of Spanish Florida was set near the current northern border of modern - day Florida . </P>
<P> The extent of Spanish Florida began to shrink in the 1600s , and the mission system was gradually abandoned due to native depopulation . Between disease , poor management , and ill - timed hurricanes , several Spanish attempts to establish new settlements in La Florida ended in failure . With no gold or silver in the region , Spain regarded Florida ( and particularly the heavily fortified town of St. Augustine ) primarily as a buffer between its more prosperous colonies to the south and west and several newly established rival European colonies to the north . The establishment of the Province of Carolina by the English in 1639 , New Orleans by the French in 1718 , and of the Province of Georgia by Great Britain in 1732 limited the boundaries of Florida over Spanish objections . The War of Jenkins ' Ear ( 1739 - 1748 ) included a British attack on St. Augustine and a Spanish invasion of Georgia , both of which were repulsed . At the conclusion of the war , the northern boundary of Spanish Florida was set near the current northern border of modern - day Florida . </P>
in florida which european country was attacking settlements in georgia
in florida which european country was attacking settlements in georgia
British
British