Download Spanish Texas Chapter 7

Missions & Settlement
Chapter 5
Texas History
Coach Fletcher
The Priests
The priests job was to:
1. Represent both the Roman
Catholic church and the empire of
Spain.
2. Teach the Indians the Christian
religion and farming techniques.
3. Look after the interests of the
Spanish government.
Presidios
Many Indians didn’t like the Spaniards, the
Spaniards built presidios to protect
themselves.
A presidio is a small fort with Spanish soldiers.
As a result of the missions many other
settlements develops around that area.
They were called civil settlements, made up of
civilians such as farmers, ranchers,
merchants- not priest or soldiers.
Spanish Mission in East Texas
Once La Salle was out of East Texas the
Spaniards began to establish the area
with missions.
De Leon and Father Masanet in 1690 leads
a group of missionaries, 100 soldiers into
East Texas.
They established the first mission in East
Texas called San Francisco de los Tejas.
Failure of San Francisco de los Tejas
During 1691-92:
1. An epidemic killed off the missionaries
and many Indians
2. Drought ruined the crops
The Indians blamed the Spaniards for their
trouble and they started hating them.
In 1693, the priest burned the mission and
left back to Mexico.
Mission San Juan Bautista
Mission San Juan Bautista was built near
the Rio Grande in 1699 by Spaniards.
This mission was considered the “Mother
of Texas Missions” because it provided
a base for many Spanish expeditions
into deep Texas.
Spanish Return to Texas
Father Hidalgo was a Spanish priest
wanting to establish a new mission in
East Texas.
Father Hidalgo writes a letter to the French
government, he asks that the Spaniards
and the French get together and build a
mission in East Texas.
Governor Cadillac of Louisiana
The Governor Cadillac of Louisiana
agrees that the Spaniards and the
French should put a mission in East
Texas.
Good for the French because:
1. Be able to trade with the Spaniards
2. Be able to trade with the Indians
The French were looking to get rich from
trading. They didn’t want to convert
the Indians.
Louis de St. Denis
The French sent Louis de St. Denis into
Texas to help establish the trading post.
In 1714, St. Denis enters the San Juan
Bautista presidio to find Father Hidalgo.
St. Denis was arrested, the Spanish law said
that nobody from another country could
be on Spanish land. They took him to
Mexico City.
St. Denis in Mexico City
Once in Mexico City St. Denis claims
he wants to establish the mission to
convert the Indian. Actually he only
want to trade with them.
The Viceroy of Mexico City agrees
with the plan to return to East Texas
with some conditions.
Terms of the Mission in East Texas
The Viceroy said he would rebuild the mission
if:
1. There was no trading between Spanish and
French
2. The mission would have a presidio around
it.
3. Also the development of civil settlement was
established.
The Viceroy saw the French as a threat.
New East Texas Mission
Leader : Captain Domingo Ramon
Priest: Father Hidalgo
They took:
1. 12 priests
2. 25 soldiers
3. Several Families
4. Gift for Indians
5. Farm supplies
6. Presidio supplies
7. More than 1,000 head of livestock
San Antonio Founded
The Spaniards felt a need to establish a
mission that was half way between New
Spain and the East Texas Missions.
The village was called San Fernando de
Bexar, later called San Antonio
This mission was called San Antonio de
Valero, later called the Alamo.
Problems in East Texas
Problems:
1. The French traders had more influence
on the Indians than did the Spaniards
2. Crops failed and disease in the missions
3. Spanish soldiers often deserted into
French Louisiana
4. France declared war against Spain in
1719
“Chicken War”
Seven French soldiers decided to attack a
mission and demanded that the only two
Spaniards surrender.
A flock of squawking chickens were so loud
that is scared the French soldiers away.
The Spaniards escape, the battle was known
as the “Chicken War.”
The Spaniards report back to Mexico that
the French were putting together a force to
attack Spanish Texas.
The Aguayo Expedition
Marques de Aguayo was chosen to lead
soldiers into East Texas to fight the French.
He and 500 soldiers enter East Texas in 1721.
The Spaniards found no trouble with the
French in East Texas. They then reopened
a mission and presidio called Los Adaes.
Los Adaes became the capital of the province
of Tejas, or Spanish Texas.
Expansion of the Tejas Missions
From 1748 to 1751 more Spanish
missions were established along the
San Gabriel River. They were called
the San Xavier.
Other missions develop but later
destroyed by the Apaches or the
Comanches.
Spanish Life in Texas
To the Spanish government the missions
were a way to expand power.
To the Roman Catholic missionaries the
missions were a way spread Christianity.
If the Indians accepted the mission it was
usually successful.
The successful missions were the center of
Spanish life in Texas.
Mission Life
Started with religious services at dawn.
Then the work day around the mission
started
Men- worked in the fields
Women- made pottery, wove cloth, ran the
kitchen, took care of the livestock
Children- went to school and then worked
Ended with religious services in the evening.
The Presidios
Presidios were built of timber, stone, &
adobe.
Presidio had:
1. Barracks for soldiers
2. Quarters for officers
3. Storage rooms
4. Stockade or wall surrounding
5. Cannons
Life in the Presidios
Major problem with soldiers was morale or
attitude. Problem included:
1. Soldiers getting paid very little
2. Boring
3. Fighting with Indians
4. Fighting with missionaries on the issue
of how to treat the Indians
5. Poor supplies & uniforms
Life in the Civilian Settlements
San Antonio was ran by a council called
ayuntamiento.
Also officials called alcalde who acted as
mayor, sheriff, and judge.
Settlements were made up of several
different cultural backgrounds: African
Americans, Spanish, and Indians.
Economy of the Civilian Settlements
The economy of the settlements were based
on:
1. Farming
2. Ranching
3. Trading
4. Blacksmith
5. Cart drivers
6. Livestock
Social life in the Settlements
Social life centered around family and
church.
Also included:
1. Fiestas
2. Parades
3. Horse racing
4. Dances
5. Musical concerts
Successful Missions
Only a few missions became successful in:
1. San Antonio
2. Goliad
3. Nacogdoches
4. Los Adaes
It was these areas that the Spaniards had
the greatest control.
Spanish influence on Texas
Includes:
1. Roman Catholic beliefs
2. Spanish laws
3. Art, Music and Architecture
4. Language
5. Food
6. Economy through cattle and horses
Spanish influence on Texas
Spanish influence on geographic names:
Such as:
1. Rivers
2. Cities
3. Mountains
Most important heritage influence came for
the Spanish people, who call Texas home.
Spanish Missions
Key Terms
1. Presidio- Spanish military fort
2. Council- Advisor to Spanish Officials
3. Province- one district of a country, like a state
4. Ayuntamiento- Spanish city council
5. Alcalde- Chief leader of Spanish village
6. Mestizos- person of mixed Spanish & Native
American heritage
7. Tejano- a person of Mexican heritage who
considers Texas as home