Chapter 6: The Spanish Missions Section 5: Life in Spanish Texas
Bellwork List examples of how Spanish culture has influenced life in present-day Texas.
Why are we studying this? Many states in the American Southwest still show signs of a strong Spanish influence.
Life in the Spanish Missions Spanish wanted the Indians to live inside the missions Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción has stood in San Antonio since the mid-1700s.
Life in the Spanish Missions Daily work consisted of prayer and work Day started at dawn with Mass
Life in the Spanish Missions Indians worked under the direction of priests and soldiers Men: tended crops of beans corn, and cotton
Life in the Spanish Missions Women: made pottery, cared for livestock, wove cloth, and ran the mission kitchen Day ended with prayers and dinner—usually a thin cereal
Life in the Spanish Missions Spanish hoped the Indians would give up their traditional celebrations Indians would often leave the mission during the hunting season
Life in the Spanish Missions Harsh life—dirt floors and open windows Food often scarce in East Texas Missions—Indians would help during hard times
Life in the Spanish Missions San Antonio and El Paso missions had the best conditions Mission San Jose
Presidio de Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia, Life in the Presidios Missions more likely to succeed with a presidio nearby Presidio de Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia,
Artist’s conception of a Spanish presidio Life in the Presidios Built of adobe, stone, and timber Had a chapel, barracks, storage rooms, and headquarters Artist’s conception of a Spanish presidio
Spanish frontier soldier Life in the Presidios Duties: Guarded missions and supervised Indians Risky work Low pay and poor equipment Spanish frontier soldier
Life in the Presidios Some soldiers in presidios brought their families with them Often disagree with missionaries over treatment of Indians and who had the higher authority
Life in the Settlements Diverse population of Spaniards, Indians, and African Americans Most African Americans brought to Texas as slaves
Life in the Settlements Towns had streets, bakeries, stores Largest town was San Antonio
Life in the Settlements San Antonio—first town to let people participate in the government Ayuntamiento—governing council of a Spanish settlement in Texas
Life in the Settlements Alcalde—Spanish official who served as mayor, sheriff, and judge of a Spanish settlement in Texas
Life in the Settlements Farming and ranching important to economy Vaqueros—Spanish cowboys
Life in the Settlements Horse riding used to provide entertainment Social activities focused around the family and church
Life in the Settlements The Spanish strongly influenced Texas: Missions serve as churches First roads
Life in the Settlements Place names Introduced Cattle & horses to America Art, architecture, food, language, & music