San Antonio Mission systemSan Antonio Mission system

Spanish Missions and Presidios

Spain had explored Texas but found no gold or treasure. When the Spanish found out the French (La Salle) had built a fort and settlement in Texas, they became alarmed. Spain did not want any other nation to claim its territory.

Worried that France would gain control in Texas, Spain extended its northern frontier to the north and east.

Spain Responds to a French Threat

Spain brought more settlers and soldiers to reinforce its claim in Texas.

France Loses the Race for Texas

With a firm hold on East Texas, Spain began expansion efforts. However, hostile native groups made the Spaniards turn back in the north and west.

Spanish Expansion in Texas

Mission System

Goal

Represent Spanish Government

Goal

Spread Christianity and Spanish culture

Goal

Develop settlementsin Texas

Goal

Prevent other nation from settling in Texas

In 1718 at a good halfway point between the Rio Grande and East Texas the Spanish established the most famous

mission - San Antonio de Valero, “The Alamo”

Smallpox was only one of the Smallpox was only one of the diseases that took the lives of diseases that took the lives of thousands of American Indians. In thousands of American Indians. In 1739 only 49 of its 300 native 1739 only 49 of its 300 native inhabitants survived a smallpox inhabitants survived a smallpox epidemic at the Mission San José.epidemic at the Mission San José.

Soon after the building of the Alamo,

a second mission was founded about five miles downstream.

Bronze replica of San Jose (out front of present day mission)

Mission San Jose built in 1720

Mission San Juan (1731)

The mission was well known for its religious celebrations.

Picture through outside wall ruins

The oldest unrestored stone church in America. Original fresco paintings are still visible inside several rooms.

Mission Concepción (1755)

The second oldest standing aqueduct system in the United States, but the oldest standing aqueduct system in

Texas.

Mission Espada (1731)

The missions were led by The missions were led by Padres, or Friars. They were Padres, or Friars. They were priests of the Catholic faith priests of the Catholic faith whose duty in life was to spread whose duty in life was to spread the word of God and the word of God and convertconvert Native Americans to the Catholic Native Americans to the Catholic faith.faith.

The missions were designed by the Friars, or missionaries, butactually built by the Native Americans they hoped to convert.

Friars taught Natives Spanish Friars taught Natives Spanish methods of methods of agriculture*agriculture*, the , the Spanish language, and culture.Spanish language, and culture.

Some Native Americans were Some Native Americans were content with their new way of content with their new way of life; others hated the missions life; others hated the missions and tried to revolt or attack the and tried to revolt or attack the missions. missions.

Natives were expected to do all the work. Building the missions, farming, ranching, and carpentry, irrigating ditches, growing vegetables, and cooking.

Each mission traded or sold goods to

nearby settlements and presidios,

sometimes making great profits

on food, man-made items, and cattle.

Mission Espada's aqueductMission Espada's aqueduct

The Spanish introduced the ranching

industry in Texas.

Soldiers lived in Soldiers lived in presidospresidos near a near a mission. mission.

They supplied protection to the They supplied protection to the missions and the missions missions and the missions supplied them with food.supplied them with food.

If natives run away or revolted, If natives run away or revolted, it was the soldiers who it was the soldiers who punished them, usually with punished them, usually with whipping.whipping.

Doors of San JoseDoors of San Jose

The mission bells were one of the most important

things of mission life.

The bells controlled everyone; when they woke up, when they ate meals, when they went to work, and when they went to

church.

This was one of the hardest things for the Native Americans to

understand.

What do the

locationsof

the missions have in

common? Why do

you think that this

was important?

Teaching through stonesTeaching through stones

Similar to sign language, the Spaniards Similar to sign language, the Spaniards used stones to help symbolize words used stones to help symbolize words and beliefs in order to further and beliefs in order to further communicate with the new natives to communicate with the new natives to the mission. the mission.

What symbols do you see in What symbols do you see in the arch at San Jose?the arch at San Jose?

Angel- Thus stating the mission is the link between Heaven and Earth.

Pomegranate- Represents unity, the fruit has many seeds inside one fruit, similar to a large congregation inside the single church.

Explain why the date 1718 is Explain why the date 1718 is important to Texas history.important to Texas history.

Why do you think this mission Why do you think this mission was important to Texas was important to Texas

history?history?