1. Expanding the Spanish Empire In the 1680s the Spanish built several forts, missions and settlements in what is now Texas in order to keep French traders out of the area.

2. Expanding the Spanish Empire By 1760 Russian hunters and fishing ships began visiting the coast of California. Spain thought they may begin settling California. By 1769 Spain had built their first settlement in San Diego.

3. Expanding the Spanish Empire By 1823 Spain had 21 missions throughout what is present day California. They also had many missions in what is now Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona claiming much of the land in the west of what is now the United State as part of the Spanish Empire.