MISSIONS
Add to Explorer Notes Cabeza de Vaca was one of the first Spaniards to see buffalo in Texas Estevanico was Moroccan explorer who traveled through Texas with Cabeza de Vaca Cabana de Vaca wrote a book about his experiences among the Native Americans and that the Seven Cities of Cibola were located in present day Southwestern United States
Spanish Colonial System (3 parts) Missions: The missions were founded to convert and educate the native peoples in the Spanish culture and religion. Presidios: fort or military outpost Built to house soldiers who protected Spanish settlers, convert and educate in Spanish culture Settlements: Settlers were often the wives and children of the soldiers. Along with their wives and families, off-duty soldiers farmed, raised livestock, and ran ranches. As settlements grew, they attracted craft workers and merchants
Facts about Missions Missions and presidios were built in Texas during the Spanish Colonial Era Mission San Antonio de Valero is today known as the Alamo Mission San Juan Bautista was the “Gateway to Spanish Texas” Missions were built near rivers to take advantage of better resources Many missions were built close to each other to take advantage of the presidio
Life inside a Mission Friars: Roman catholic man who belongs to a religious group and teaches Christianity Taught Catholicism to Native Americans Helped build churches and houses Tended crops and raised livestock Cooked, cleaned, and treated the sick Native Americans Studied Catholicism Learned new trades Helped with farming and food production Tended animals belonging to the mission Assimilated into Spanish culture
Life inside a Mission con’t Settlers • Contributed to trade and craftwork of mission • Helped with ranching and farming • Served as teachers and doctors Soldiers • Protected mission from outside attacks • Tracked down escaped Native Americans • Helped with daily duties of the mission • Ran businesses of their own
San Francisco de los Tejas The word Texas comes from the Caddo word “Ta’sha” meaning friend 1st Spanish Mission, June 1st 1690 located along the Neches River Problems in the missions Crops failed Disease spread (holy water responsible, rejected Catholicism) Too far from Spanish settlements
Purpose of Mission System 1) convert the indians 2) civilize the indians 3) hold land for Spain
Reasons Mission System failed 1) Indians didn’t want to adopt a new way of life 2) too far away from Mexico, a source of supplies and help 3) lack of support from the Spanish government ($) 4) crop failures due to flooding and/or drought 5) jealousy of the shaman (someone who can use magic/rituals) 6) problems created by Spanish soldiers