Colonizing Texas

Who do you think was in Texas before the European explorers arrived in Texas? Native Americans

What do you think happens when one group tries to move into an area that is already populated with another culture?

Do you think that the Europeans coming might change the Native Americans way of life? Do you think that any time cultures encounter each other; there are changes to the way of life in an area? We are going to see what happened when individuals or groups have come to Texas.

The Spanish established Catholic missions in Texas during the 1600’s – 1800’s. The missions were built in East Texas (which includes Nacogdoches), South Central Texas, and West Texas (El Paso).

Missions were built to establish control of Texas lands.

The missions were built because the Catholic church was growing and it needed to be protected.

The Spanish built missions in Texas to teach Native Americans about the Roman Catholic Church and the culture of the Spanish. The missions were protected from attacks by having a presidio built next to the mission. A presidio was a fort housing Spanish soldiers to guard the mission.

A villa was located between a mission and a presidio A villa was located between a mission and a presidio. A villa was a small town around the mission and presidio that provided goods and services to both. A new culture was born with the missions. The new culture was a mix of Spaniards and Native Americans. Much of the Spanish culture still exits in Texas today.

Missions Church Rooms for religious classes Storage buildings Housing for the missionaries and some of the Native Texans

Corpus Christi de la Ysleta was built in 1682 Corpus Christi de la Ysleta was built in 1682. This was the first mission in Texas, located among the Tigua people near present-day El Paso.

Nuestro San Francisco de los Tejas was built in 1690 Nuestro San Francisco de los Tejas was built in 1690. This was the first mission in East Texas, located among the Caddos. It was located in present day Neches, near Crockett. This was later abandoned and destroyed.

Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches was built in 1716 and located in present day Nacogdoches.

San Miguel de los Linares de los Adaes (Los Adaes) was built in 1717 and located about 15 miles from the French settlement Natchitoches. The Spanish decided to name Los Adaes the capital of the province of Texas. This is also the site of the famous “Chicken War”.

Chicken War – French force of seven soldiers decided to attack the mission San Miguel de Linares demanding the Spanish surrender but a flock of squawking chickens were so loud they were scared away thinking there were many soldiers at the mission.

Nuestra Senora d Guadalupe – located at what is now Nacogdoches East Texas Missions: Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepción – on the Angelina River , 24 miles northeast of the first mission Nuestra Senora d Guadalupe – located at what is now Nacogdoches

San Antonio de Valero was built in 1718 and located near present day San Antonio. This site was selected because it was a good halfway point between the Rio Grande and East Texas. The mission chapel of this mission is known as the Alamo. Recall the physical geography of the San Antonio area, lots of rivers and fertile soil.

San Antonio de Bexar was a presidio built across the river in 1718 San Antonio de Bexar was a presidio built across the river in 1718. A village sprang up nearby named San Fernando de Bexar that later became San Antonio.

La Bahia – built in 1722; later became Goliad.

Santa Cruz de San Saba was built in 1757 Santa Cruz de San Saba was built in 1757. For the Lipan Apaches, this mission and presidio was located in Comanche territory. The Lipans had hoped to start a war between the Comanches and the Spanish since the Comanches were their enemies. The mission was destroyed but the presidio remained there for a few years.

San Juan Bautista was built in 1700, near present day Eagle Pass San Juan Bautista was built in 1700, near present day Eagle Pass. This mission and presidio served as a way station for expeditions into Texas.

What do most of the missions have in common? The majority of the missions were built near major rivers.

How did the geographic location help in the success of the missions? The missions were built in the different regions of Texas that will have an impact in the development of Texas.

What event happened in 1685 that caused the Spaniards to speed up the building of the missions? Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle established Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay, and thus formed the basis for France's claim to Texas.

The “Camino Real” or “Royal Highway” was the major supply route from Mexico into Texas and made the missions in San Antonio the largest settlement in Spanish Texas.

What was the name of the road that contributed to the success of some of the missions? Why was this road important? Camino Real” or “Royal Highway” was the major supply route from Mexico into Texas and contributed in the future transportation of the state

Why was 1718 so important to Texas history? Mission San Antonio de Valero was built and located near present day San Antonio which was the halfway point between the Rio Grande and East Texas. This became the Alamo. Why was 1718 so important to Texas history?

Do you think that the same geographical reasons that the missions were established in a certain location will affect future development in Texas?

Daily Life in a Mission Prayer, classes, and training in religion Chores Training in trade Crops / sheep, goats, and cattle Learned about government

Problems with the Mission System Disease Indian rejection of mission life Indians used the missions as protection against Presidios – soldiers were not paid well / soldiers had to buy their own supplies at very high prices / soldiers and friars disagreed about how to treat Native Americans

Important Information about Missions  The establishment of Catholic missions, towns, and ranches  Missions were Spain’s main way of colonizing and were expected to support themselves. The first of missions were established in the El Paso area, then East Texas and finally in the San Antonio area. Missions were used to convert the Native Texans to the Catholic faith and make loyal subjects to Spain.  Towns – Towns and settlements were built near the missions and colonists were brought in for colonies to grow and survive. The first group of colonists to establish a community was the Canary Islanders in San Antonio (1730).  Ranches – Ranching was more conducive to where missions and settlements were thriving (San Antonio). Cattle were easier to raise and protect than farming.

 Fray Damián Massanet  Convinced the viceroy of New Spain to colonize East Texas and convert the Caddoes to Catholicism  1690 – Alonso De León, and Massanet were sent with several priest, and about 100 soldiers to colonize East Texas.  Resulted in many missions in East Texas even though they were failures

 José de Escandón (1750s)  Military commander and governor of Nuevo Santander (present-day Laredo and surrounding area)  Led Spain’s expansion effort in South Texas  Sent settlers, soldiers and priests to settle the lands between the Rio Grande and Nueces River establishing missions, presidios, and settlements  Moved La Bahia mission and presidio from the Guadalupe River to the present-day site of Goliad

 Antonio Margil de Jesús (early 1700s)  Spanish Franciscan priest  Founded several missions in East Texas including Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and San Miguel de los Adaes  Due to the problems in East Texas, he moved to San Antonio and founded San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, one of the five missions in San Antonio today

Francisco Hidalgo (early 1700s)  Priest at Mission San Francisco de los Tejas  Contacted French Catholic priests to provide religious services to the local native people when Spanish priests aren’t available  Caused Spanish to be suspicious of French colonization

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MODIFICATIONS  Spanish Colonial Consequences  Colonial Homes – built from timber and rocks  Dog Run Homes – built with a breezeway for shade and to catch the breeze  Home Furnishing – made from natural resources in the area  Buckskin Clothes – made from deer hide  Water Wells – built to acquire water near their home  Food – killed animals and grew crops

Marques de Rubi Report – Marques de Rubi was sent by the Spanish government on a tour of Texas to inspect the missions and settlements; his recommendations were: to abandon the missions except for two of them send settlers from East Texas to live in San Antonio new policy towards the Native Americans in Texas wanted Spain to establish friendly relations with the northern tribes (Comanches/Wichitas) claimed a war was needed against the Apaches to protect Spanish interests

Threats to Texas 1800s Spain’s control was weak. Only 3 missions (Nacogdoches, San Antonio, and La Bahia) The rest of Texas was controlled by Native American tribes.

IMPORTANT DATES  1682 – Spaniards establish the first Texas mission at Corpus Cristi de la Ysleta  1731 – East Texas missions are moved to San Antonio  1718 – Founding of San Antonio  1782 – Mission San Jose is completed in San Antonio and other missions are built  1810 – Father Hidalgo’s speech encourages Mexicans, Texans, and others to fight for independence

Legacy of the Missions Ranching industry Cowboy (vaquero) Bronco / lasso Names – every river in Texas (except the Red River) has a Spanish name or a name that was derived from the original Spanish

 Place Names  Amarillo – In Spanish it means yellow. This was the color of the soil of the area and the beautiful wildflowers. Name by early settlers in this area.  Rio Grande – In Spanish it means “Big River”  Most Texas rivers and landforms  Vocabulary  Vaquero – Spanish word for cowboy  Rodeo – A sport that is based on the skills of cowboys or vaqueros  Religion  Roman Catholic  Architecture

 Home – Hacienda  Presidio – Fort  Aceqias – wells (aquifer)  Adobe – brick  Arch – Style of architecture  Food  Tortillas – Flat bread made of corn  Tamales – Dumpling made of corn flour and meat  Arts  Corridos – ballad  Frescos – Mural painting found in Catholic churches  Tejano Music – Music that originated from the cultural convergence of Spanish, German, Czech, and Polish music and instruments