1. Unit 2.2 Power Notes, Part 3
New Spain

2. New Spain and Texas
1519 – Pineda maps the Texas coast and the first mainland Spanish settlement is established in present-day Mexico as New Spain
1718 – San Antonio is founded

3. 3 G’s of Spanish Exploration
Gold – the Spanish heard that there was gold in Texas by American Indians. The Spanish wanted to increase their global wealth
Glory – expeditions were led by conquistadors looking for wealth and fame for themselves
God – the Catholic Church agreed to help support the expeditions to convert American Indians to Christianity and increase wealth of the Church.

4. Spain vs. France
Spain was first to claim Texas in 1528, when Cabeza de Vaca landed at Galveston.
France claimed Texas when La Salle landed at Matagorda Bay in 1685.
These conflicting territorial claims reinforced Spanish claim to Texas, which led to more missions and presidios in Texas.

5. Spanish Colonization
Missions…were Spain’s main way of colonizing and were expected to support themselves. The first missions were established in the El Paso area, then East Texas and finally in the San Antonio area. Missions were used to convert the Native Texans to the Catholic faith and make loyal subjects to Spain.

6. Spanish Colonization
Towns…and settlements were built near the missions and colonists were brought in for colonies to grow and survive. The first group of colonists to establish a community was the Canary Islanders in San Antonio (1730).
Ranches…were more conducive to where missions and settlements were thriving (San Antonio). Cattle was easier to raise and protect than farming.

7. Famous Spaniards Fray Damian Massanet Jose de Escandon
Convinced the viceroy of New Spain to colonize East Texas and convert the Caddos to Catholicism.
Jose de Escandon
In the 1750s, he was the military commander in South Texas who became known as the “Father of the Rio Grande Valley”.

8. Famous Spaniards Antonio Margil de Jesus Francisco Hidalgo
A famous Spanish Franciscan missionary who founded several missions in East Texas.
Francisco Hidalgo
A Spanish priest at Mission San Francisco de los Tejas who contacted French Catholic priests to provide religious services to the local native people where Spanish priests aren’t available.