The Mission Era in The Mission Era in Texas HistoryTexas History

Chapter 5Chapter 5

Wrap-UpWrap-Up

In the late 1600’sIn the late 1600’s,,

The line of Spanish settlements The line of Spanish settlements pushed north pushed north

into Texas from Mexico …into Texas from Mexico …

Corpus Christi de la YsletaCorpus Christi de la Ysleta; ; the the firstfirst permanent settlement in Texas permanent settlement in Texas

16821682

El PasoEl Paso

On theOn the

Rio Grande RiverRio Grande River

Fearing French presence of Fearing French presence of La SalleLa Salle,,

Spain built Spain built missionsmissions and and fortsforts (presidios) and (presidios) and townstowns in Texas; in Texas;

Alonso De LeonAlonso De Leon was sent to attack was sent to attack La Salle’s fort in 1689; he found it La Salle’s fort in 1689; he found it already destroyed and deserted …already destroyed and deserted …

San Francisco de los TejasSan Francisco de los Tejas

Founded 1690Founded 1690

First Mission in EAST First Mission in EAST TexasTexas

Near Nacogdoches, TXNear Nacogdoches, TX

Ministered to the Ministered to the CaddoCaddo

Crude wooden log Crude wooden log cabincabin

NacogdochesNacogdoches

ProblemsProblems for the for the mission:mission:

-drought-drought-disease -disease -floods -floods

-rejection by the Natives-rejection by the Natives

The mere presence of The mere presence of MISSIONSMISSIONS in Texas now in Texas now

strengthened Spain’s claim strengthened Spain’s claim to Texasto Texas

Mission San Juan BautistaMission San Juan Bautista

16991699

On the Rio Grande – On the Rio Grande – Eagle PassEagle Pass

Provided grain, Provided grain, cattle, and horses …cattle, and horses …

French TradersFrench TradersNo enslavement of No enslavement of NativesNatives

No real attempts at No real attempts at conversionconversion

Friendship with the Friendship with the NativesNatives

Trade!Trade!

Blankets, guns, & Blankets, guns, & wine for fur and wine for fur and skinsskins

Because of a French trader’s (St. Denis’s) Because of a French trader’s (St. Denis’s) interest in East Texas,interest in East Texas,

The Spanish ordered missions The Spanish ordered missions to be built; to be built;

St. Denis traded in Texas; he St. Denis traded in Texas; he set up a “trading post” on the set up a “trading post” on the

Red River (Natchitoches, Red River (Natchitoches, Louisiana)Louisiana)

San AntonioSan AntonioMidway between Midway between East Texas and the East Texas and the Rio GrandeRio Grande

Mission Mission San San Antonio de ValeroAntonio de Valero founded in 1718 by founded in 1718 by Father OlivaresFather Olivares

““The AlamoThe Alamo””

Interior of the AlamoInterior of the Alamo

““Alamo” means Alamo” means Cottonwood TreeCottonwood Tree

Benefits of Living in San Antonio?Benefits of Living in San Antonio?

Ample waterAmple water (San Antonio River)(San Antonio River)

Irrigation canals – Irrigation canals – ““Acequias” for Acequias” for fertile landfertile land

Stone = Stone = LimestoneLimestone

SomeSome timber timber

New Spain; New Spain; Hispania NovaHispania Nova

SmallpoxSmallpox

Mission Era ConclusionMission Era Conclusion1680’s – 1790’s1680’s – 1790’s

Goal to convert Native Americans to Goal to convert Native Americans to ChristianityChristianity

Goal to make them peaceful and turn them Goal to make them peaceful and turn them into tax-paying citizens of New Spaininto tax-paying citizens of New Spain

Overall failure …Overall failure …

Most Native Americans in Texas refused to Most Native Americans in Texas refused to accept “accept “Mission Life”Mission Life”

Too expensive, hostile & resentful Natives, Too expensive, hostile & resentful Natives, too remote, understaffed, & little money …too remote, understaffed, & little money …