1. Chapter 6: The Spanish Missions Section 5: Life in Spanish Texas

2. Bellwork
List examples of how Spanish culture has influenced life in present-day Texas.

3. Why are we studying this?
Many states in the American Southwest still show signs of a strong Spanish influence.

5. Life in the Spanish Missions
Spanish wanted the Indians to live inside the missions
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción has stood in San Antonio since the mid-1700s.

6. Life in the Spanish Missions
Daily work consisted of prayer and work
Day started at dawn with Mass

7. Life in the Spanish Missions
Indians worked under the direction of priests and soldiers
Men: tended crops of beans corn, and cotton

8. Life in the Spanish Missions
Women: made pottery, cared for livestock, wove cloth, and ran the mission kitchen
Day ended with prayers and dinner—usually a thin cereal

9. Life in the Spanish Missions
Spanish hoped the Indians would give up their traditional celebrations
Indians would often leave the mission during the hunting season

10. Life in the Spanish Missions
Harsh life—dirt floors and open windows
Food often scarce in East Texas Missions—Indians would help during hard times

11. Life in the Spanish Missions
San Antonio and El Paso missions had the best conditions
Mission San Jose

12. Presidio de Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia,
Life in the Presidios
Missions more likely to succeed with a presidio nearby
Presidio de Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia,

13. Artist’s conception of a Spanish presidio
Life in the Presidios
Built of adobe, stone, and timber
Had a chapel, barracks, storage rooms, and headquarters
Artist’s conception of a Spanish presidio

14. Spanish frontier soldier
Life in the Presidios
Duties: Guarded missions and supervised Indians
Risky work
Low pay and poor equipment
Spanish frontier soldier

15. Life in the Presidios
Some soldiers in presidios brought their families with them
Often disagree with missionaries over treatment of Indians and who had the higher authority

16. Life in the Settlements
Diverse population of Spaniards, Indians, and African Americans
Most African Americans brought to Texas as slaves

17. Life in the Settlements
Towns had streets, bakeries, stores
Largest town was San Antonio

18. Life in the Settlements
San Antonio—first town to let people participate in the government
Ayuntamiento—governing council of a Spanish settlement in Texas

19. Life in the Settlements
Alcalde—Spanish official who served as mayor, sheriff, and judge of a Spanish settlement in Texas

20. Life in the Settlements
Farming and ranching important to economy
Vaqueros—Spanish cowboys

21. Life in the Settlements
Horse riding used to provide entertainment
Social activities focused around the family and church

22. Life in the Settlements
The Spanish strongly influenced Texas:
Missions serve as churches
First roads

23. Life in the Settlements
Place names
Introduced Cattle & horses to America
Art, architecture, food, language, & music