1. Spanish Expansion

2. Spain vs. France
Texas is a buffer between Spanish Mexico and French Louisiana

3. Alonzo de Leon Expedition to find French settlements
Priest meets Caddos – friendliness mistaken for eagerness to convert
Established Mission San Francisco de los Tejas

4. Failure of First Mission
Crops fail due to drought
Diseases killed natives
Natives became hostile, didn’t like mission life
French not a threat
1st mission abandoned after 3 years
Spanish realized need for military support and settlement

5. Father Francisco Hidalgo
Request for new mission in East Texas
Baptized natives have a church to attend
His request was denied by New Spain govt.
Invited French priests to help Texas natives

6. St.Denis
The French accepted Father Hidalgo’s request and sent St. Denis
Helps reopen San Fransisco de los Tejas
Established 6 missions in East Texas and LA by 1716

7. Alamo Presidio - a military post in areas under Spanish control
Mission San Antonio de Valero (Alamo) & presidio San Antonio de Bexar on San Antonio River

8. Chicken War War in Europe breaks out (French v. Spanish)
French soldiers attack mission
Leader tied chickens to his saddle
Falls off
Captives get away
Spaniards retreat Alamo
All Spanish abandoned missions

9. France loses Spanish return to East Texas
Build new missions and presidios
Spain firmly established in Texas

10. East Texas Missions Attacked by Apaches Missions moved to San Antonio
Settlers came and established ranched in Rio Grande valley

11. Territory Grew After French and Indian War
Spain gets French land west of Mississippi River
Territory is too large to develop and defend
All missions in East Texas move to San Antonio