Spanish Expansion

Spain vs. France Texas is a buffer between Spanish Mexico and French Louisiana

Alonzo de Leon Expedition to find French settlements Priest meets Caddos – friendliness mistaken for eagerness to convert Established Mission San Francisco de los Tejas

Failure of First Mission Crops fail due to drought Diseases killed natives Natives became hostile, didn’t like mission life French not a threat 1st mission abandoned after 3 years Spanish realized need for military support and settlement

Father Francisco Hidalgo Request for new mission in East Texas Baptized natives have a church to attend His request was denied by New Spain govt. Invited French priests to help Texas natives

St.Denis The French accepted Father Hidalgo’s request and sent St. Denis Helps reopen San Fransisco de los Tejas Established 6 missions in East Texas and LA by 1716

Alamo Presidio - a military post in areas under Spanish control Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo) & presidio San Antonio de Bexar on San Antonio River

Chicken War War in Europe breaks out (French v. Spanish) French soldiers attack mission Leader tied chickens to his saddle Falls off Captives get away Spaniards retreat Alamo All Spanish abandoned missions

France loses Spanish return to East Texas Build new missions and presidios Spain firmly established in Texas

East Texas Missions Attacked by Apaches Missions moved to San Antonio Settlers came and established ranched in Rio Grande valley

Territory Grew After French and Indian War Spain gets French land west of Mississippi River Territory is too large to develop and defend All missions in East Texas move to San Antonio