Missions,Missions,Presidios, Presidios,

andandEarly TownsEarly Towns

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Word Definition Illustration

Mission A religious settlement

Missionaries People who teach their religion to others

Vaquero Cowhand or Indians trained to work on ranches

Presidio A fort built mostly of wood, stone or adobe

Plaza A town square, sometimes in the center of town

Mestizo A person whose ancestors were both Spanish and Native American

Revolt A fight against people in charge

Heritage The culture22

The MissionsThe Missions• 1682 the Spanish built Ysleta (the first mission) 1682 the Spanish built Ysleta (the first mission)

near El Pasonear El Paso• Within 68 years more than 20 missions had Within 68 years more than 20 missions had

been built in Texasbeen built in Texas• Were run by Catholic priests, called missionariesWere run by Catholic priests, called missionaries• The missions had many buildings inside. Some The missions had many buildings inside. Some

of those are: of those are: • houses, houses, • schools, schools, • churches,churches,• and workplaces were inside of mission wallsand workplaces were inside of mission walls

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Lessons that were taught by the Lessons that were taught by the missionaries were:missionaries were:• The first vaqueros were Indians trained by The first vaqueros were Indians trained by

missionariesmissionaries• The Spanish languageThe Spanish language• Spanish CultureSpanish Culture• Catholic ReligionCatholic Religion

Native American jobsNative American jobs•Women becameWomen became

• WeaversWeavers• CooksCooks• And took care of laundryAnd took care of laundry

•Men became• cowboys• sheperds• carpenters• blacksmiths, or• fisherman• Sometimes both men and women

became musicians

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Spanish Missions in TexasSpanish Missions in TexasCorpus Christi de la Ysleta del Sur (1682)

The church at Mission Espíritu Santo at its final location in present-day Goliad.

Mission San Jose’ in San Antonio, Texas - February 23, 1720.

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Native American Quarters at the Mission San Jose’ y San Miguel de Aguayo

Mission Nuestra Senora de los Dolores del los Ais was built to keep the French out of Texas.

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Alamo DiagramAlamo Diagram

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PresidiosPresidios

• Forts built by the soldiers to protect the Forts built by the soldiers to protect the people living in and near missions – people living in and near missions – usually a small force of about 20 soldiers usually a small force of about 20 soldiers stayed in the presidios.stayed in the presidios.

• They were mostly of wood, stone, or They were mostly of wood, stone, or adobe.adobe.

• They were surrounded by walls that were They were surrounded by walls that were 10 feet tall that soldiers placed cannons 10 feet tall that soldiers placed cannons on the walls or in the small towers at the on the walls or in the small towers at the cornerscorners

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PresidiosPresidios

• Most had one main gate and sometimes a Most had one main gate and sometimes a rear gate that were locked from the insiderear gate that were locked from the inside

• Inside were many buildings: Inside were many buildings: • soldiers living quarters, soldiers living quarters, • family quarters for the officer in charge, family quarters for the officer in charge, • and possibly a doctor’s office and possibly a doctor’s office

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Presidio La BahiaPresidio La Bahia

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Early TownsEarly Towns• 1718-San Antonio de Bexar was started as 1718-San Antonio de Bexar was started as

a mission and presidio, later a town would a mission and presidio, later a town would be builtbe built

• Another town built from a fort and mission Another town built from a fort and mission was Nacogdoches in 1779was Nacogdoches in 1779

• Most early towns included a plaza and an Most early towns included a plaza and an irrigation system that brought water from irrigation system that brought water from the closest riverthe closest river

• Most settlers were mestizos that were Most settlers were mestizos that were promised land and supplies by the Spanish promised land and supplies by the Spanish if they would settle in the new land.if they would settle in the new land.

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• The early towns faced problems with The early towns faced problems with Native Americans raids and fighting Native Americans raids and fighting with each other.with each other.

• They also faced problems of drought, They also faced problems of drought, floods, and diseases.floods, and diseases.

• Ranchos were set up in the Rio Ranchos were set up in the Rio Grande Valley area by the end of the Grande Valley area by the end of the 1700s.1700s.

• Ranchos raised cattle for the Ranchos raised cattle for the settlements and/or missions.settlements and/or missions.

Nacogdoches – Old Stone FortNacogdoches – Old Stone Fort

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