Spanish Missions
History and Purpose Columbus's voyage of discovery opened a new world of possibilities for the Spanish. In the Americas, Spain soon began to use its soldiers to increase the size of its
territory, find wealth, and spread the Catholic faith. After Cortes's conquest of Mexico in 1519, the Spanish
moved north into Texas in search of gold and American Indians to convert to Christianity. Though they failed to find gold, they established missions to work with peaceful American Indians and presidios (forts) to control hostile ones. In the late 1600s the French, already in Canada, explored the Mississippi River. This expansion posed a threat to Spain's territory and Spain responded by extending its
settlements into what is now Texas. Spain wanted to create a buffer zone between the wealth of Mexico and French Louisiana. The Spanish established themselves in Texas by using a system of colonization. Through missions, presidios, and an adjoining civilian
community (a villa), missionaries and soldiers Christianized the native population. The Spanish hoped that with the help of these now-loyal American Indians a relatively small number of men would be needed to defend the empire's frontier.
Stop and Discuss 1.
Why did the Spanish establish missions in Texas?
2. Which of the following would best explain Spain’s motivation for building missions? Why?
-economic opportunity, -competition, or
-desire for expansion Social Studies Success
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San Antonio Missions One place for Spanish missions and presidios (fort) in Texas developed around San Antonio. Two
missions and a presidio were established in the San Antonio River valley between 1718 and 1720. The Spanish added three new missions in the San Antonio valley in 1731.
A single presidio protected the five missions, which were closely grouped for two important reasons. First, the fields required irrigation and a system could only be set up along the valley's upper ten
miles. Second, the threat of attack from Apache and Comanche tribes was constant, and the missions needed to be near the presidio and each other for protection.
Four of the missions (San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada) were
originally started in East Texas. These missions failed because of drought, disease (malaria), and French invasions. They were later relocated to San Antonio. The missions were successful during the middle of the 18th century (1700’s), but later declined due to a lack of military support, disease, and increased attacks from Apaches and Comanche. Stop and Discuss 1.
Why were the missions located so closely together?
2. Would you consider the missions important to the Spanish government? Why or why not?
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The Five Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio The Alamo (1718) The first and most widely known of these missions was
San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo. It was started in 1718 as a half-way point between missions already existing in East Texas and other missions in
Mexico. It was well over 100 years old when it became the center for the Battle of the Alamo, fought March 6, 1836. The Alamo will always be remembered and associated with that battle.
San Jose (1720) Soon after the building of the Alamo, a second mission was founded in 1720 about five miles
downstream. Named San Jose, this new mission was established by Fray Antonio Margil de
Jesus, who had previously left a failed mission in East Texas. A model among the Texas missions, San Jose gained a reputation as a major social
and cultural center. Among the San Antonio missions, it also provided the strongest garrison (fort) against raids from American Indians.
San Juan (1731) First established in East Texas, mission San Juan Capistrano made its permanent home on the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731. Within a short time, the mission became a regional supplier of agricultural and other products including iron, wood, cloth, and leather goods produced by the American Indians in its workshops. Social Studies Success
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Concepcion (1731) One of the most attractive of the San Antonio missions, the church at Concepcion looks
essentially as it did more than 200 years ago, when it stood at the center of local religious activity. The mission was well known for its
religious celebrations. Not visible today are the colorful geometric designs that originally covered the exterior surface of the mission. Inside,
however, are original paintings of religious symbols and architectural designs.
Espada (1731) Mission San Francisco de la Espada, like its sister missions San Jose, San Juan, and
Concepcion, started in East Texas. Originally named San Francisco de los Tejas, Espada was renamed and relocated to San Antonio in 1731. It is the southernmost of the chain of missions located on the San Antonio River. Mission Espada features a very attractive chapel,
along with an unusual door and stone entrance archway.
Stop and Discuss 1.
What do the Spanish missions in San Antonio have in common?
2. Which would you consider to be the most significant of the San Antonio missions? Why?
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Mission Economy The missions were important to agricultural production. Each had a ranch for raising the sheep, goats, and cattle that supplied
necessities like meat, wool, milk, cheese, and leather. The entire cattle industry was
developed in Mexico. This included ranching and the driving of cattle across long distances to markets. Spanish ranching
formed the beginning for the American cattle industry. Many of the cattle came from the original mission herds. The Spanish also brought to the San Antonio valley a specialized method of farming that used irrigation. This system, which was extended by later settlers, was the foundation of the San Antonio economy for more than a century. Parts of mission-built irrigation systems are still in use today in San Antonio and other parts of Texas. The mission contributed to the economy in other ways. It established necessary industries such as weaving, iron working, and carpentry.
These were important
to the maintenance of the entire military and political structure of the eastern portion of the Spanish American frontier. Mission-trained artisans and workers provided a principal source of labor and finished goods in a region at the far end of a long and expensive supply line reaching up from the south.
Today the San Antonio missions are among the few relatively intact examples of the colonial missions in the Southwest. They contribute to the general
architectural record of this era as well as offer examples of building styles from every period of the missions' history. Stop and Discuss 1.
What agricultural system did the Spanish bring to the San Antonio valley?
2. What other products came from the missions? 3. Why were the missions in San Antonio important to the colonization of Texas?
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The Spaniards and American Indians A mission brought together two different groups of people. The missionaries came
from Spain and were Franciscans, Catholic priests who had taken a vow of poverty. In Texas the Franciscans mainly encountered
American Indian tribes of hunter-gatherers called Coahuiltecans (kwa-weel-tekens). These tribes ranged through Mexico and South Texas.
The Coahuiltecans moved from one traditional campsite to another, following the seasons and herds of migrating animals. Life for the Coahuiltecans was
difficult. They rarely had a regular food supply because of the lack of rainfall in the area. Though they sometimes fought against each another, they all faced threats from more fierce enemies such as the Apache and, later, the Comanche. The Coahuiltecans were willing to become part of the mission system for a number of reasons.
The irrigation system in the missions allowed for plenty of
crops to be grown. They enjoyed the more stable food supply.
Many
Coahuiltecans had died from diseases brought by Europeans. This made them easy to attack by the Comanche and Apache.
The presidio (fort) built
alongside the missions offered the Coahuiltecans protection. Stop and Discuss 1.
What features of the Coahuiltecans' way of life made them interested in participating in mission life?
2. Do you think tribes like the Apache and Comanche lived in missions? Why or why not?
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Life in a Mission The missionaries, along with helpers and a few soldiers, instructed the American Indians in the Catholic faith. The American Indians learned various trades, including carpentry, masonry, blacksmithing, and weaving. American Indians also worked in the fields and raised crops..
The Spanish mission system lasted more than 100 years. Religion was the most
important factor in shaping the day. At dawn the church bells rang, calling the people to Morning Prayer, which was followed by religious instruction. At noontime the bells rang again to assemble everyone for more prayer, and in the evening there was another service and more instruction.
What happened the rest of the day varied from person to person. Many of the men were led to the fields or to military drills by a missionary or a soldier, while others
remained in the mission to work in one of the shops weaving, candle making, woodworking, or other crafts. Women and older girls often made pottery or baskets, though others prepared food or caught fish in the nearby river. Children spent their days in a number of ways: helping the adults, gathering under a tree for Spanish lessons, or playing games with each other. At noontime, everyone came together to eat the day's largest meal, which was followed by the rest period known as a siesta. They remained inside for the hottest part of the day, then returned to their duties until early evening. They would have a light meal before the last service of the day, then enjoy some
relaxation. Some would spend the evening dancing and singing, while others played games.
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The American Indians reacted to the mission system in a number of ways. Some of them participated fully, mixing their traditions with those of Spain to create a new culture. Other American Indians
moved in and out of the missions, choosing to return to more familiar surroundings during a season when the natural environment was rich with food. Some American Indians refused to join at all, continuing to live in their traditional ways.
Stop and Discuss 1.
How would someone of your age spend a typical day at a San Antonio mission?
2. How would the Spanish mission benefit an American Indian? 3. How would an American Indian be challenged by living in a mission?
End of the Mission System In the 1790s, the missions began to change. At that time the Spanish government withdrew its financial support and ordered mission lands and livestock to be divided among the mission American Indians who had been converted to Christianity.
What lasting impact did the establishment of the Spanish missions have on Texas?
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