Spanish Mission System Presidios were built to protect the missions and guard against French forces and Indians on the Spanish frontier Spanish settlements grew near missions and presidios. They were built to make it harder for the French to take over Texas AND to give the Spanish soldiers’ families a place to live Missions were built to spread the Catholic faith to Indians and to gain control of Texas Plarium.com

Spanish Mission System This chart gives the BASICS… look in your book for DETAILS!! MISSIONS PRESIDIOS SETTLEMENTS DEFINITION A religious settlement A Spanish military outpost A community that grows up around a mission and presidio PURPOSE To teach the Natives the Spanish way of life and to convert them to Christianity To protect the missions and settlements To create Spanish towns in Texas and to provide a home for the soldiers’ families INHABITANTS Who lived there? Spanish Catholic Friars (Priests) Native American men and their families Spanish Soldiers (worked there and lived in the settlements) Spaniards Native Americans African Americans Mestizos and Tejano(a)s DAILY ACTIVITIES Farming Ranching Crafts Education Scouting Controlling the Native population Patrolling Farming Ranching Crafts and Trades Fiestas PROBLEMS 1. Native American resentment 2. Some did not want to stay at the missions 1. Danger 2. Low pay 3. Lack of support/supplies from the government 1. Disease 2. No schools