The Christianization of the Natives

(Izquierda) Indigenas Californios se dirigen a la misión para ser convertidos. Ilustración del padre Ignacio Tirsch (Lám.XXX) siglo XVIII. Derecha foto de Californio.

Indian Rancheria, •  (in Spanish America and the western U.S.) a small Indian settlement

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Missionaries’ Treatment of the Natives

•  The missionaries’ unrelenting and heavy handed efforts to undermine traditional religious beliefs alienated some natives and caused insurrections by the natives.

•  According to a British observer “If…any of the captured Indians show a repugnance to conversion, it is the practice to imprison them for a few days…and thus renounce the religion of their forefathers”

•  Presidios also had the function of ensuring that native laborers were kept in check and pacify them in in case of a rebellion.

Nicolas Tamaral died the 3rd of October 1734 at San Jose del Cabo.

Lithograph by Jesuit Miguel Venegas

Padre Ignacio Tirsch

•  Jesuit priest who worked as a missionary in the Peninsula of California, from 1762-1768.

•  Some of the earliest European paintings about life in the peninsula are from padre Ignacio Tirsch.

 

Padre Ignacio Tirsch, siglo XVIII

Padre Ignacio Tirsch, siglo XVIII

The Manila Galleon and the Santiago Mission, Baja California.

1708-1722 George Shelvocke

•  English and French were becoming more a problem in the Pacific in search of the Northwest Passage

Capt. George Shelvocke 1675-1742

1708-1722, George Shelvocke

Life in Baja California

1708-1722 George Shelvocke

Junipero Serra (1713-1784)

Founder and First Padre President of the Franciscan Missions of California

•  Between 1785-1803 the number of converts came to be over 50,000

•  Alta California was settled because the enormous numbers of potential converts estimates projected were 300,000 mostly in the costal region.

Ludwig, Louis Choris 1795-1828

1822

1802

Russian explorations and settlements in Alaska were seen as a threat.

Russian Ship Sets Anchor in the Bering Sea

Ludwig, Louis Choris 1795-1828

•  Juan Bautista de Anza (1735-1788), entrusted to blaze the trail between Alta California and Arizona. Why was this trail of importance?