Section 1: Life in the Missions and Presidios

To secure its hold on Texas, Spain sent colonists to the northern frontier of its colonial empire. Many settled in missions and presidios, where they experienced a whole new way of life.

At the end of the 1700s about 3,500 settlers lived in Texas, mainly in the missions of San Antonio, La Bahia, and Nacogdoches.

Conditions were very difficult; the colonists faced attack by hostile Native Americans, disease, and much hard work. Because of these dangers, the settlers stayed close to each other when possible.

They formed 3 types of settlements: missions, presidios, ranches/farms.

A main purpose of the missions was converting Native Americans to the Catholic faith and teaching them the skills that would make them good subjects of the Spanish crown.

The Spanish government provided the money to start the missions, and then the missions were supposed to produce everything they needed to support themselves. Spain hoped that the missions would soon earn a profit for the government.

The missions were not as successful as Spain had hoped The missions were not as successful as Spain had hoped. The native population of the missions soon started to decrease.

Many Native Texans did not like the new lifestyle. Others died from European diseases, or could not adapt to the change of diet.

By the end of 1770 Spain considered the missions a waste of money and resources.

The purpose of the presidios was to protect the missions and settlements.

Most presidio soldiers enlisted for ten years Most presidio soldiers enlisted for ten years. Often it was a life of hard work and constant danger.

The soldiers received very low salaries, and they had to buy their own uniforms and weapons at high prices. However, some were granted land to establish their own ranches or farms.