Spanish Settlements (Unit 2, Part 4)

Essential Question: Why did Spain create Catholic missions, presidios and towns/settlements?

San Antonio is Founded (1718) In 1718, the Spanish built a fort-town, Presidio San Antonio de Béxar, on one side of the San Antonio River. Across the river, Father Olivares founded Mission San Antonio de Valero (aka “The Alamo”)

San Antonio Expands In 1719, Antonio Margil de Jesus founded Mission San Jose. He was the most famous and successful of all friars. The El Camino Real, or King’s Highway, was the first road in TX that connected the Rio Grande to East TX missions. Many soldiers brought families to San Antonio to settle permanently.

The Chicken War (1719) In 1719 war broke out between Spain and France overseas. So French soldiers seized the Spanish mission near Nacogdoches. They looted the mission and captured a Spanish soldier. The French leader was thrown from his horse because of the chickens in the courtyard! The Spanish soldier was able to escape. The story was exaggerated and embarrassing to the Spanish viceroy…as a result the Spanish were determined to hold Texas.

Los Adaes (1721) In 1721, Spanish military leader Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo led a large group of soldiers and settlers to reestablish the abandoned missions in East Texas. He built a large mission/presidio named Los Adaes (in present-day Robeline, Louisiana) with a village nearby. Spanish authorities made it the capital of Texas in 1722, where it remained for 50 years.

La Bahía (1749) Aguayo established a mission/presidio near the ruins of La Salle’s fort. The mission/presidio later were moved to the San Antonio River near present-day Goliad, where it was renamed La Bahía.

Escandón Colonizes South Texas In the 1750s, Jose de Escandón successfully colonized the Nuevo Santander (area between the Pánuco River (MX) and Guadalupe River) with more than 20 towns and missions. He is known as the “Father of the Lower Rio Grande Valley”.

Plains People Resent Missions The Plains tribes resented the Catholic friars who were seen as intruders on their hunting grounds. Apaches regularly raided San Antonio, and Comanches fought invaders. In 1757, friars founded Mission San Sabá near Menard along with a presidio nearby…but the mission failed.

Positive Effects of Spanish Colonization The 3-pronged colonial plan (missions, presidios & towns/settlements) formed modern-day cities such as El Paso and San Antonio and resulted in Hispanic culture (food, clothing, architecture, etc.), which helped shape Texas. Spain proved that Texas was a valuable place to be settled.

Negative Effects of Spanish Colonization It changed the natural landscape of Texas. 2. It forced many Indians to lose their hunting grounds. 3. Indians had to adjust/adapt to life under Spanish control—which they resented. Conflicts with the French and Indians resulted in loss of life.