Spanish Settlements

Spain in Texas Most Spanish activity was in Eastern Texas due to the French Louisiana. They built Catholic missions. The purpose of the Catholic missions was to save the Native Americans and convert them to Catholics. They also built presidios for protection for the missions.

Spanish Missions

Spain in Texas Tejas mission was established but failed due to diseases, crop failure, and rejecting the Catholic religion. It did however set the ground work for later missions. It also gave Spain a strong hold in Texas.

Presidio in Southern Texas

France Threatens Again The French were not interested in gaining territory or converting Indians. They were there for making a profit off trading. They were friendly to the Natives, and they were friendly back.

France Threatens Again They set up trading post all over the Mississippi Valley. They also wanted to conduct trade with the Spanish. The Spanish saw the French as invaders of Texas. They decided to build more missions and presidios in Texas and to stop all trade with the French.

Missions in Texas Six missions and a presidio were built in East Texas named Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Tejas. The Spanish needed a midpoint between New Spain and the new missions. Presidio San Antonio de Bexar was built in 1718. They built a mission next to the presidio and its chapel is known as the Alamo.

War Breaks Out In 1719, war breaks out between Spain and France. French soldiers seized the Spanish mission near Nacogdoches (East Texas). Two years later, Aguayo led a large group of soldiers back to East Texas and reestablished the missions. He also established two cities in East Texas.

War Breaks Out French continued to trade with the Natives but never established settlements. So the two countries remained peaceful.

Plains Missions The Spanish attempted to establish missions in Central Texas. These missions failed and were abandoned. The Comanche and Apache Indians of that area were too nomadic and never would stay at the mission. They would attack the missions and capture the horses.

Important Guys Francisco Hidalgo – He worked to create missions and fair treatment of Natives. He tried to reestablish missions in East Texas. Damian Massanet – Founded the first Spanish mission in East Texas, San Francisco de Los Tejas in 1690. He returned in 1716 to establish 6 more and 1 fort. Magril de Jesus – Founded the most successful mission: San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo

Life in the Missions Natives were given gifts, learned trades and Spanish, given shelter, and food. Soldier life was tough due to poor supplies and two jobs. (farmers and protectors) Mixed people of Spanish and Natives were called Mestizos