Spanish Colonization

Chapter 7.1-7.2

The New World In 1700

By 1700, Spain & France each controlled about the same amount of territory in the New World.

Spanish Colonization

Spain established Missions, Presidios & Pueblos (Civil Settlements) to colonize Texas.

MissionsMain purpose was to convert Native Texans to Catholicism & make loyal subjects to Spain.

Very few Natives actually converted

26 were built by the end of the 1700s

PresidiosMain purpose was to protect Spanish colonists from Native attacks.

Soldiers would also bring back Natives who escaped the Missions.

Civil Settlements (Pueblos)

Colonists from Spain were brought in for colonies to grow & survive.

The 1st group of colonists to establish a pueblo were the Canary Islanders who settled San Antonio in 1730.

Town LifeThe Alcalde kept order while the Ayuntamiento carried out the Spanish king’s orders.

Dances were used to meet neighbors, promote friendships, lift settler’s spirits & help to escape hardships.

Jose de EscandonMilitary commander & Governor of Nuevo Santander (Laredo)

Sent 3,000 settlers, soldiers & priests to settle lands between the Rio Grande & Nueces rivers.

Main Population Areas

In the late 1700s, 3,500 colonists lived in Texas:

1. San Antonio (2,000)

2. La Bahia (1,000)

3. Nacogdoches (500)