Spanish Missions in Texas

Spanish Colonization

Why the need for Spanish Settlement?- Spain needed to colonize Texas in order to hold onto the territory.- They needed missions to carry out the God part of the 3 Gs, spreading Christianity.

2Types of SettlementsMissions Spains primary method of colonizing, self-supportedPurpose: 1. Convert the American Indians to Catholic faith2. Make loyal subjects to SpainTowns towns & settlements were built near the missionsRanches provided food & other products to missions Presidios military bases, protected Spanish missionsDaily Life in the MissionMorning PrayersInstruction in the Catholic faithBreakfastWork all day in the fields, kitchen, or in the workshopsThe Native Texans that became part of the mission were often punished by the priest if they did not follow rules. Few Natives converted to Christianity.One of the few tribes that did convert was the Coahuiltecans in South Texas

Inside the missionsMost missions were enclosed by four walls, with towers at the corner for protection.Land surrounding the mission was used for livestock and crops.There was also a mission chapel.

Diagram of a Spanish MissionChurchPriests QuartersWorkshopsKitchenStoreroomsWellIndian VillageWater Access

1234567Spanish Mission8

Most of the missions built in the 1600s were along the Rio Grande until La Salle established Ft. St. Louis then the Spanish started building farther east in order to claim more of this area (what would be Texas) for Spain7

8Event: Corpus Christi de la Ysleta (El Paso)Time: 1682

Details:First mission built in Texas. It was only one of few missions that was built in West Texas. It was very successful, and more were promised by Spain.Spain- In late 1600s, Spain settled Mexico & New Mexico.- La Salle had established Fort St. Louis for France -Found out about the French Ft. St. Louis in Texas.- June, 1686 sent Alonso de Leon to find and destroy Ft. St. Louis

10Alonso de Leon- April 22, 1689- Found abandoned Ft. St. Louis in ruins- Explored East Texas- Met Caddo Indians, called them Tejas meaning friendly. - Took friendliness as eagerness to become Catholic11Father Damian Massanet Was with de Leon requested help from Mexico City to convert the Caddo, or the Tejas as they called them, to Catholicism 1690 - Del Leon and Massanet were sent with several priest and about 100 soldiers to colonize East TexasConvinced the viceroy of New Spain to colonize East Texas and convert the Caddoes to CatholicismResulted in many missions in East Texas even though these missions failed

Event: Mission San Francisco de los TejasTime: 1690By: Fr. Damian MassanetDetails:This is the first mission to be built in East Texas. Marks the beginning of Spanish dominance in Texas and Mexico. Missions begin to pop up all over East Texas.

Replica of the mission shown above reflects the way Texans adapted to their environment by Mission was made from natural resources14The French Return- In 1699, France built a trading post at Biloxi, MS then one in Mobile, ALPurpose was for trading with NativesFrench didnt want land- Spain saw this as competition for the land and renewed colonization efforts15

French/Spanish TerritoryFr. Francisco Hidalgo- A priest at San Francisco de los Tejas- Contacted French catholic priests to provide religious services to the local native people when Spanish priests were not available- Wrote letter to French Governor Cadillac of Louisiana requesting he send French priests to minister to the newly baptized natives in East Texas, using French to pressure Spanish.- French saw this as invitation to visit Spanish territoryHidalgo

Contacted French catholic priests to provide religious services to the local native people when Spanish priests were not available

Caused Spanish to be suspicious of French colonization

Cooperated with French authorities in Louisiana to bring missions to east Texas17- 1714, Frenchmen sent into Spanish territory with trade goods to investigate Fr. Hidalgos request. Louis de St. Denis- Was arrested by Spanish- Released to lead an expedition into East Texas to establish a bunch of missions.18East Texas Missions- 1716- 1st Fr. Francisco Hidalgo reopened San Francisco de los Tejas- Opened 6 more missions to reclaim East Texas- A steady stream of supplies from Mexico was needed for success19Event: San Antonio de Valero (Alamo)Time: May 1, 1718Details:Founding of San Antonio. It becomes famous for its part in the Texas revolution. A major battle is fought here where Texas is defeated by Mexican forces. It would later be known as the turning point in the war, and a major reason Texas rallies to become independent from Mexico.Needed a support post near the San Antonio River for supplies way between Mexico & East Texas missions- May 1, 1718, Mission San Antonio de Valero was built- Across river, Presidio San Antonio de Bexar & La Villa de Bexar were built

20San Antonio Settlement- Mission = San Antonio de Valero - Presidio = San Antonio de Bexar- Civil Settlement = La Villa de Bexar- Together, these would become the most important Spanish colony in Texas, then the important city it is today.21San Antonio de Valero

The Alamo

22Los Adaes- Spains easternmost establishment- Built a mission, a presidio, and a small settlement- Became the capital of the newly created province of Texas23Los Adaes

- Texas border today24New Colonists Arrive- Colonies needed settlers to grow & survive55 immigrants (15 families) arrived at San Antonio de Bexar from the Canary IslandsSpanish govt gave them supplies

25Spain Reexamines- Inspection is made of Spains northernmost frontier- Spain needs to save money- Recommendations:1. combine East TX missions2. reduce troops at presidios- Spain reduces military forces in the region26Results- Missions are left open to Native attacks- 1731 East Texas missions were moved to San Antonio- Spain and France agree on an unofficial border between Spanish TX & French LA- A stream named the Arroyo Hondo became the boundary27Presidio La BahaFort dates back to 1749La Bahas job to protect Mission Espritu SantoSite of many skirmishes during the Mexican and Texan revolutionsKarankawa Indians not hospitableMoved to the Guadalupe RiverGoliadMoved to the Guadalupe River because there were conflicts with American tribes in the region28Presidio means military post or fortified settlement in an area under Spanish control Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto de La Bahia del Espiritu Santo; name means Our Lady of Loreto of the Bay of the Holy Spirit

342 Texas men were executed here by the Mexican army during the 1836 Texas revolution which led to the Remember Goliad cry later shouted at the Battle of San JacintoGoliad got its name in 1829 when Mexicans rechristened it in honor of a revolutionary here Hidalgo by using Goliad as an anagram, without the HJose de EscandonMilitary commander and governor Nuevo Santander (Laredo)Led Spains expansion effort in South TexasSent settlers to the land between the Rio Grande River and the Nueces RiverMoved La Bahia mission and presidio from the Guadalupe River to Goliad29Antonio Margil de JesusPriestFounded San Jose y San Miguel, 1 of the 5 missions in San AntonioMissions Are Built1782 - Antonio Margil de Jesus established the San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission. 1782 Mission San Jose is completed in San Antonio

San Jos32What about the Natives?- Most rejected mission life- Tonkawas & Lipan Apaches used missions for protection against other tribes- 1758 - Comanches attacked Mission San Saba

33Treatment of Natives- Spanish tried to change the Natives way of life and take away their freedom. They were often unfriendly and mean to the Natives. They forced them to do their will and often took advantage of them.- The French were friendly, did not try to change them, only wanted to trade.34Problems Arise- 1763 French & Indian War ends- Spain got all of French LA west of the Mississippi River- Too much land to settle or defend- US settlers would soon begin invading351810Father Hidalgo gave a speech encouraging Mexicans, Texans, and others to fight for their independence36BrainPOP Quiz 1.) What are the 3 Gs of Exploration?

Glory, Gifts, and GodGlory, Gore, and GoldGlory, Gifts, and GoldGlory, God, and Gold

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D. Glory, God, and Gold

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2.) Which country threatened Spains claim to Texas and Mexico?A. FranceB. USAC. CanadaD. GermanyBrainPOP Quiz

A. France

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3. Which of the following was the French explorer?CoronadoLa SalleCabeza de VacaPineda

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B. La Salle was the French Explorer

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4.) What was the main purpose of the Spanish Missions?To provide shelter to Spanish soildersTo provide shelter to Native AmericansTo Christianize the Native AmericansTo learn how to cook Spanish foods

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C. To Christianize Native Americans

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5.) Most missions were located near a ________:OceanJack in the BoxRiverLake

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C. A River

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6.) What was the main purpose of a presidio?To convert (change) the Natives to ChristianityTo take siestasTo protect missions from ghostsTo protect missions from intrudersBrainPOP Quiz

D. To protect missions from intruders