Spanish Settlements Life in Spanish Texas
MISSIONS
Missions Convert Natives to the Catholic faith Four walls, with lookout towers at the corners Inside: priests’ offices, rooms for weaving cloth, shops for different jobs Chapel: not for formal Sunday services, but for baptisms, weddings, and funerals
Daily Life in Missions Morning prayer 30 minutes of instruction Reciting of the rosary Breakfast Work Evening meal Instruction and prayer Sleep
Failure of Missions Women died giving birth European diseases killed many New diet made them sick Too expensive for Spain to keep up with
PRESIDIOS
Presidios Provided military support Protect colonists from Native Americans Return natives who ran away from missions Rectangular with four tall walls and lookout points Barracks for soldiers Chapel Storage rooms Only one entrance
Daily Life in Presidios 10 year commitment Hard work, constant danger Many did not get along with priests Not paid much, supplies were high cost Often got second jobs to be able to afford basic supplies
PUEBLOS
Pueblos = Towns Homes made from logs, adobe, and stone Jacals: huts with thatched roof, walls covered in mud or clay Built dams as a form of irrigation
Life in the Pueblos Worked as gunsmiths, bakers, merchants, carpenters, etc. Very limited education, only wealthy could afford books Women: sewed, washed, midwives, teaching morals and values, owned property separate from husband Alcalde: official acting as mayor, sheriff, and judge
Activities for Fun Horse racing Festivals, outdoor activities Telling folktales, singing ballads PROBLEMS: Unsanitary living conditions Diseases, few doctors or medicines Raids by Native Texans
RANCHES
Ranches Supplied the towns with wool, animal hides, and other materials Used fat to create soap and candles Horses supplied to soldiers
Growth of the Cattle Industry between San Antonio and the Guadalupe Rivers known as “cradle of Texas ranching”
Ranches Vaqueros = cowhands or cowboys Easier than farming: Cattle could stand the harsh climate Cattle easier to move than crops Farming required irrigation Farms had to compete with Missions for workers