spanish missions in texas
DESCRIPTION
Spanish Missions in Texas. Summary So Far. Europe Eyes the Americas. Columbus came to the New World looking for gold and a new trade route to Asia. Although he found neither, his four voyages inspired others to seek their fortunes in the Americas. The French Explore Texas. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Spanish Missions in Texas
Summary So Far
Following Columbus’s lead, Spain established colonies in the Caribbean and Mexico. Reports of riches drew the explorers north to Texas where they established a successful mission.
Spanish Explorers Come to Texas
Columbus came to the New World looking for gold and a new trade route to Asia. Although he found neither, his four voyages inspired others to seek their fortunes in the Americas.
Europe Eyes the Americas
Spain’s claims on Texas lands prompted France to establish a colony of its own. Although La Salle’s Texas colony did not survive, France’s presence renewed Spain’s interest insettling Texas.
The French Explore Texas
Race to Claim Texas- In the late 1600’s, Texas lay between Spanish Mexico & French Louisiana.- Both countries needed control of Texas
in order to claim the area.
VS
For France and Spain, two of the most powerful countries in Europe in the late 1600’s, the race was on for control of Texas. Texas lay between Spanish Mexico (Mexico was a colony of Spain) and French Louisiana, and neither country had yet colonized the area. Both countries knew that their claims to the region would continue to be challenged until the permanently occupied the land. From the late 1600s through most of the 1700s, Spain moved to secure its claim to Texas.
LaSalle unsuccessfully establishes a colony in Texas. His colony fails, but it marks Frances first
presence in Texas.
Frances colony renews Spain’s interest in establishing their
presence in Texas again.
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 G’s, spreading Christianity.- Presidios provided soldiers for protection.- Civil settlements provided colonists to inhabit the territory.
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 Spain
Event: 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 1600’s, 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
Alonso 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 Catholic
Father Damian Massanet • Was with de Leon requested help from Mexico City to
convert the Caddo, or the Tejas as they called them, to Catholicism
• Convinced the viceroy of New Spain to colonize East Texas and convert the Caddoes to Catholicism
• 1690 - Del Leon and Massanet were sent with several priest and about 100 soldiers to colonize East Texas
• Resulted 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.
Event: San Antonio de Valero (Alamo)Time: 1718Details:
This mission is founded in San Antonio Texas as a central point between Mexico and East Texas missions. 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.
The French Return- In 1699, France built a trading post at Biloxi, MS then one in Mobile, AL- Purpose was for trading with Natives- French didn’t want land
- Spain saw this as competition for the land and renewed colonization efforts
French/Spanish Territory
Fr. Francisco Hidalgo- A priest at San Francisco de los Tejas- 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 territory
- 1714, Frenchmen sent into Spanish territory with trade goods to investigate Fr. Hidalgo’s request.
Louis de St. Denis
- Was arrested by Spanish
- Released to lead an expedition into East Texas to establish a bunch of missions.
East 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 success
San Antonio Founded- Needed a support post near the San Antonio River for supplies- ½ 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
San 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.
“The Alamo”
Los Adaes
- Spain’s easternmost establishment
- Built a mission, a presidio, and a small settlement- Became the capital of the newly created province of Texas
Los Adaes
- Texas border today
New Colonists Arrive- Colonies needed settlers to grow & survive- 1731 – East Texas missions are moved
to San Antonio- 55 immigrants (15 families) arrived at
San Antonio de Bexar from the Canary Islands
- Spanish gov’t gave them supplies
Spain Reexamines
- Inspection is made of Spain’s northernmost frontier
- Spain needs to save money
- Recommendations:1. combine East TX missions2. reduce troops at presidios
- Spain reduces military forces in the region
Results- 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 boundary
Presidio La Bahía
• Fort dates back to 1749• La Bahía’s job to protect Mission Espíritu Santo• Site of many skirmishes during the Mexican and
Texan revolutions• Karankawa Indians not hospitable
• Moved to the Guadalupe River• Goliad• Moved to the Guadalupe River because there were
conflicts with American tribes in the region
Jose de Escandon• Military commander and governor of present day
Laredo• Led Spain’s expansion effort in South Texas• Sent settlers to the land between the Rio Grande
River and the Nueces River• Moved La Bahia mission and presidio from the
Guadalupe River to Goliad
Missions Are Built
• 1782 - Antonio Margil de Jesus established the San Jose’ y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission.
San José
What about the Natives?- Most rejected mission life- Tonkawas & Lipan Apaches used missions for protection against other tribes- 1758 - Comanches attacked Mission San
Saba
Treatment of Natives- Spanish tried to change the Native’s 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.
Problems 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 invading
1810Father Hidalgo gave a speech encouraging Mexicans, Texans, and others to fight for their independence
The First Spanish Missions Failed Because. . .
1.Their crops failed because of drought
2.They did not get supplies
3.Native Americans became hostile
4.Diseases wiped out many Native Texans
Why was 1718 a significant year in Texas history?
a. Father Massanet established the Mission San Francisco de los Tejas
b. San Antonio de Bexar was established and later became the city of San Antonio
c. Texas’s Gulf Coast was first mapped by Alonso de Pineda, bringing in more explorers
What was a negative effect of the Spanish missions in Texas?
a. Native Americans starved because buffalo were wiped out by the missionaries
b. Native Americans were moved to the coast to make room for the missionaries
c. Native Americans died from diseases brought by Spanish missionaries