Life in Spanish Missions

Spanish Texans  1700’s – 3,500 colonists lived in TX  Population in 3 main areas San Antonio – 2,000 La Bahia – 1,000 Nacogdoches – about 500 Nuevo Santander – about 700  Many colonists came to escape haciendas  Others came due to oppression  Colonists wants to trade with the French – illegal in new Spain

Four Types of Settlements  1. Missions  2. Presidios  3. Pueblos  4. Ranchos

Missions  Taught Native’s to be loyal subjects of Spain  Hoped Native’s would become good laborers & make Spain more money  El Patronato Real A group of priests were given the task of running the TX missions A group of priests were given the task of running the TX missions Catholic church provided priests for the mission & the Spanish gov’t provided the funds Catholic church provided priests for the mission & the Spanish gov’t provided the funds  Spain and the Catholic church were expected to support each other

Inside the Missions  Square compound  Towers on all four corners  Offices for priests  Workshops for spinning & weaving cloth  Shops for carpentry, iron works, and tailors  Lands used for animals and crops  Chapel was the focal point of the community

Daily Life in the Missions  Morning prayers followed by 30 min. to an hour of religious education  After breakfast Native’s worked the land and in workshops Native’s worked the land and in workshops Women worked in the kitchen or spinning cloth Women worked in the kitchen or spinning cloth Children went to school Children went to school  After dinner Everyone had religious education & prayers before bed Everyone had religious education & prayers before bed  Hard Times Native population began to shrink Native population began to shrink Many women died during child birth Many women died during child birth Presidios were costly to protect the missions Presidios were costly to protect the missions Soldiers forced to leaveSoldiers forced to leave

Presidios  Presidio Life Soldiers enlisted for 10 years Faced years of hard work and constant danger Did not get along with priests they were forced to protect Disagreements Led to long term distrust and resentment of priest and soldier Did not pay well Had to buy their own uniforms, weapons, & other equipment Soldiers were seen as customers instead of protectors Many took extra jobs to pay for their items Some brought their families with them Others married throughout their new community