Race to claim Texas Spain vs France

La Salle Started this tug of war between Spain and France over Texas He established fort St. Louis in East TX

Spain’s Reaction Send out Alonso de Leon to find St. Louis and La Salle Finds St. Louis in 1689 abandoned (it failed due to Indian attacks) Along with Leon was a friar-Father Damien Massanet Massanet asked for Spain to make missions to convert the Natives in East TX

Massanet’s Missions In 1690 Massanet, a few priests and 100 soldiers set off to build San Franciso de los Tejas Drought made farming difficult and Natives were not cooperative Mission failed by 1693

San Juan Bautista Spain founded another mission in 1699 Better location than Massanet’s mission; very successful=3 missions total, a town and a presidio Francisco Hidalgo was a priest in the mission

French Return By 1699 the French return to Louisiana and were exploring west of the Mississippi River Father Francisco Hidalgo had been asking Spain to rebuild Massanet’s mission, they refused. Hidalgo asked France for help to establish missions in the east, France liked the idea

San Francisco de los Tejas With Denis help it was reopened in 1716 Within a year they established 6 other missions Father Antonio Margil de Jesus-founder A mid way point was needed for caravans-supply wagons New missions were build to make this point

San Antonio Mission San Antonio de Valero and San Antonio de Bexas were built in 1718 Over time many settlements would be founded in the area with the San Antonio River being very resourceful Jose de Escandon was in charge of there area(military commander) He founded over 20 settlements in the area

France declares war on Spain The missions were not being successful as the same reasons before in East TX In 1718 France declares war on Spain In 1719 French Lt. Philippe Blondel “invaded” Texas with 6 soldiers and captured the nearest mission in East TX. Captured a priest and soldier, they escape capture and exaggerate the number of soldiers Spain panics and retreats to San Antonio and abandons East TX missions

Spain’s Reaction Spanish army reestablishes Spanish authority in East Texas in 1721 Presidio (Fort) San Jose in San Antonio is established and greatly increases the amount of troops in East TX Abandoned missions were reopened and guarded by hundreds of soldiers. Presidio Los Adaes became the capital of newly created province of Texas Texas was now secured by Spain

Result of War Over the next 20 years relations with France became more peaceful Spanish focus on missionary work French focus on trade Spain abandons missions in East TX again due to peaceful times, movement back to San Antonio

Weak East TX With Spain abandoning East TX to save money this causes problems The few people to stay back in the missions are weak on protection and resources Native Americans attack the missions in the East In 1758 San Saba mission is attacked by Comanches-San Saba Massacre

Spain’s Reaction The Spanish sent Col. Ortiz Parilla and 500 soldiers to lead an attack on the Comanche near the Red River. Despite their advanced weapons, the Spanish were defeated Comanches fought on horse back, Spain on foot

Marques de Rubi Spain acquires Louisiana after the Seven Years War In 1767 the King of Spain Carlos III, sent the Marques de Rubi to inspect Texas. Rubi Report-his recommendations on what Spain should do with TX A) French were no longer a threat B) The capital should be moved from Los Adaes to San Antonio (East to Central Texas) C) Spain should form an alliance with Comanche against the Apache

Life in Spanish Texas Missions Presidios Towns Ranches

Missions What?-Spanish tool for colonizing TX Purpose-Convert Native Texans to Catholicism ,become good citizens and loyal subjects Expected to support themselves Religious instruction Problems-Hard work, Disease and Strange food

Presidios What?-Provide military support Purpose-Protect colonists, guard livestock Problems -Unpleasant, harsh, low salary, bought their own equipment and conflicts w/ priests

Towns Town council & mayor Used available materials GOVT. STRUCTURE SPANISH ENGLISH KING VICEROY ALCALDE AYUNTAMIENTO POBLADORES KING GOVERNOR MAYOR TOWN COUNCIL PEOPLE Town council & mayor Used available materials Positives- Jobs, leisure activities Problems-Unclean living conditions, constant danger of Native attacks, hard work especially for women, little education

Ranches Purpose- provided food, wool, animal hides, etc Vaqueros=cowhand Farming-took more people & water Ranching-took fewer people; cattle could move Had to adapt to the frontier