Spanish Mission System
Missions
Missions were supported by:
1. The Spanish government which owned the
land and provided the money.
2. The Catholic Church which owned the
buildings, livestock, etc.
The Spanish Mission System
The Spanish Mission System was a three-fold design:
1. A mission or church was built to convert and civilize
the native Texans.
2. Soldiers were sent to fortify the presidio and protect
the Catholic priests and converted Indians from a
possible Apache or Comanche Indian attack.
3. A villa or small town was established to house the
Spanish Soldiers and their families.
Modern-day cities such as San Antonio and El Paso had their
earliest beginnings as part of the Spanish mission system.
While living in the missions, Spanish friars taught
the Native Texans many skills and tried to convert
them to the Catholic faith.
How did missions contribute to Spain's goals for
Texas?
4. Rancho
(ranch)
Missions
(churches)
• Who lived there? Friars & Native Texans
• Purpose
– Convert Native Texans to the Catholic church
– Civilize Native Texans (teach them to
be good citizens and loyal subjects of Spain)
– Colonize Texas
– Teach natives skilled labor
• Supported by
– Spanish Government
(owned land and provided money)
– Catholic Church
(owned buildings, livestock, etc.)
• Problems
– European disease
– Native Texan raids
– Too expensive to run
• Daily Activities:
• Morning Prayers
• Men – work in fields &
workshops
• Women – kitchen, weaving
• Children - school
What are some of the reasons Native Texans
might have found it difficult to adapt to
mission life?
Presidios
(forts)
• Who lived there? Spanish Soldiers
• Purpose
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–
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–
–
Provide military support for missions
Protect citizens from Indian attacks
Return runaway Indians
Guard the mission’s livestock
Protect supply wagons from the
Rio Grande
• Problems
– Life was dull, unpleasant
– Hard dangerous work
– Low pay
• Daily Activities:
• Protect colonists
• Bring back runaways
•Guard herds of cattle & horses
Many soldiers obtained land and made
new lives for themselves in Spanish Texas.
What do you think
was the best part of life
as a presidio soldier?
the worst?
Villas
(village or town)
• Who lived there? Colonists, families of soldiers, some natives
• Purpose
– Supplied missions & presidios
– Show Spanish presence
• Daily Activities
–
–
–
–
Farming
Masons / Carpenters
Bakers
Festivals
• Problems
–
–
–
–
Little money
No running water
Deadly epidemics
Raids
Women in Spanish Texas worked hard to help the
colonies succeed.
What do you think were some of the biggest
challenges for women living in Spanish Texas?
Ranchos
• Who lived there? Ranchers, vaqueros, some settlers
• Purpose
– Supplied food & supplies to help
colonists survive
• Daily Activities
–
–
–
–
Feed livestock
Milk cows
Work in fields
Make repairs
• Problems
– Few workers
– Dangerous weather
– Native Texan raids
Ranching grew to become one of the most
important industries in the history of Texas.
How do you think Texas history would be different
if the ranching industry had not been so
successful?
The Spanish colonists endured many hardships in an
effort to build new lives for themselves in Texas.
Imagine that you are one of these pioneers. After years
of struggle, your small settlement is finally able to
support itself. Unfortunately, the Spanish government is
doing little to help. Instead, it seems more concerned
with controlling the people and collecting taxes. You
have heard that the citizens of the United States and
France overthrew their leaders for similar reasons.
However, the Spanish government is still very powerful
in Texas.
Will you support efforts to break free from Spain, or do
you feel this move would be too dangerous? Why?
Spanish Colonists Rebel
What happens? Why?
War
caused
Spain to
heavily tax
colonists
King lived
too far away
Colonists
grow
unhappy w/
Spain
Spain
passed
unfair laws
Spain
withdrew
support for
missions
Spanish Colonists Rebel
What is Enlightment?
Colonist
wanted to
make own
laws
Enlightment
comes to
Mexico
Successful
American
and French
Revolutions
inspire
Spanish
A movement
to apply
reason and
science to
gov’t &
society
Belief that
govt should
support
peoples natal
rights or be
replaced
Spanish Colonists Rebel
What happens? Why?
Believed
poor would
never share
better
conditions
Spanish
gov’t
arrested and
executed
Hidalgo
Called for
liberation of
Mexican
people from
Spain
Father
Hidalgo calls
for
independence
Sept 16,
1810 gave
speech
“Grito De
Delores”
What is the relationship between the
Enlightenment and Father Hidalgo's cry
for independence?
Spanish Colonists Rebel
What happens? Why?
Rebellion
made people
realize Spain
might be
defeated
Gutierrez and
Magee fought
for control of
Texas but
were defeated
The movement
grew for Mexican
Independence
Mexican
unrest
continues
Aug. 24, 1821
Spanish forces were
defeated – Mexico
now independent
from Spain
How does Spanish still influence us today?
Main
contribution
was the
Spanish
language
Spaniards brought
culture beliefs,
laws, religion &
customs to Texas
Spanish
influence
lives on
Brought cattle,
horses, sheep &
pigs. Started cattle
industry, ranching,
rodeos.
Spanish
roots in art,
architecture,
music &
literature
Spanish Influence Collage
• Make a collage showing how Spanish /Mexican influence continues
in today’s Texas culture.
• Choose at least three topics. Examples…..
–
–
–
–
–
–
Food
Art
Music
Traditions
Celebrations
Architecture
• You must have a title.
• You may use pictures from magazines, internet or drawings.
Include words and pictures.