1. The Spanish Missions
1680’s – 1760’s

2. Mission Religious communities Schedule:
Used to convert the American Indians to Catholicism
worship, speak English, read, write, Spanish songs and dances, and farming
Built near rivers
Most built along the Rio Grande or in East Texas
Many Indians attacked rather than change their culture
Schedule:
7am-8 am=religious services
8am-6pm=work
6pm-7pm=prayers and dinner

3. Presidios Military bases Built of adobe, stone and timber
Stockade-wall surrounding the fort
Protected several missions from Indian attacks
Soldiers job- protect the mission and supervise Indians

4. Civil Settlements and ranchos
Provided products and services for missions and presidios
Well defined streets that led past homes and buildings
Ayuntamiento – governing council
Alcalde – mayor, sheriff, and judge

5. The French in East Texas
1682 – French explorer La Salle sailed down the Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico
Claimed all Mississippi lowlands for France
Named the region “Louisiana” for King Louis XIV
In order to expand Louisiana, La Salle also claimed East Texas
Shh…it’s a secret
Matagorda Bay – Obese-ly Fat

6. La Salle and Fort St. Louis
Established Fort St. Louis
Small houses, fort, chapel with 8 cannons
No supplies
Attacks by Karankawa
La Salle murdered by his own men
Ended in disaster
But…
Gave France a claim to Texas
Challenged Spain's empire north of the Rio Grande

7. Spain answers back Hasinai = Tejas
Alonso de Leon and Father Massanet claimed East Texas for Spain
Built San Francisco de los Tejas to convert the Tejas
Droughts and floods ruin crops
Deaths due to disease
Tension amongst Spaniards and the Tejas
Tejas did not want religious instruction
Spaniards burned mission to ground in 1693
First Spanish mission in East Texas ended in failure

8. Spain in East Texas
Sent priests, soldiers and their wives, and civilians
Brought gifts for the Tejas
Built Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas and five other missions
Built Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Tejas presidio

9. Spanish in San Antonio
Needed missions in between East Texas and the Rio Grande
Martin de Alarcon (governor or Texas), in 1718, built a mission along the San Antonio River
San Antonio de Valero-mission
San Antonio de Bexar-presidio
Villa de Bexar-civil settlement
Became the most successful missions in Texas
Named road between the East Texas, San Antonio and the Rio Grande El Camino Real, or the Royal Road

10. 1718! 1718! 1718! 1718! 1718! 1718!
Martin de Alarcon established a mission and presidio at the site of present day San Antonio

11. Examples of Spanish Influence in Texas
Routes of first Texas roads
Many Spanish place names
Catholic heritage and missions
Examples of Spanish Influence in Texas
Culture (architecture, art, food, language, music)
Cattle ranching traditions and terms
Legal traditions