Spanish Colonial Period

_{Age of Contact & Spanish Colonial}

In today's lesson we will...

• Review the Explorers to Texas and 3Gs.

• Learn about the Spanish settlement of East Texas.

• Learn about the founding of major Texan cities, such as San Antonio and Laredo.

Pineda

• First European Explorer to discover the Texas Coastline

• In 1519 Pineda mapped the Texas Coastline and the entire Gulf Coast as well

Cabeza de Vaca

• Conquistador who had some misfortunes when trying to explore and ended up in Texas

• Was a Karankawa slave for 7 years and eventually gained his freedom

• When he returned home to Spain, he wrote a book of his encounters and it inspired many others to leave Spain in search of Gold & Glory

God, Gold, & Glory

The 3 G's

This Is My Land

• Spain’s discoveries and conquests in the New World showed other European countries that there was opportunity in the Americas.

• By the late 1600's, France was challenging Spain’s claim to the region that includes present-day Texas.

Spain - vs - France

The most direct result of French exploration for Texas was that Spanish interest shifted focus from western Texas to eastern Texas. The Spanish did not want the French taking over what they believed was part of New Spain. After many years of disinterest, Spain now resumed exploring the Gulf Coast and settling in the Texas area of New Spain.

Who Established The Spanish Missions In Texas?...

Father Damian Massanet

On June 1, 1690 the first Spanish Mission was established in east Texas and was named San Francisco de los Tejas.

Missions & Presidios

The Spanish decided that to protect their claim, they needed settlements there. Over the next several decades, Spain established missions, military outposts called presidios, and towns in lands occupied by Native Americans. These efforts by the Spanish in the late 1690's helped begin and define the Spanish Colonial era.

Spanish Missions of Texas

• The Spanish worried about French plans to occupy East Texas.

• The Spanish viceroy ordered new missions for East Texas.

• Frenchman Louis de St. Denis had been sent by the French to work with the Spanish.

• He had both experience with the trails and good relations with the Native Americans.

• The Spanish arrived in June 1716.

• They founded a mission called Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas.

• The Spanish also built a presidio, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas.

• It was located on the Neches River.

Open Ended

• Why was Louis de St. Denis sent by France to assist the Spanish?

​Problems with colonization

• The Spanish also needed a colony between the settlements on the Rio Grande and the new East Texas missions.

• Although it was against Spanish law, East Texans had to trade with the French in Louisiana or starve.

• The Spanish decided to build settlements between the Rio Grande and East Texas to make supplies easier to secure.

Open Ended

• Why did the Spanish build a settlement near the San Antonio river?

The Spanish chose a site on the San Antonio River. In 1718 they

built Presidio San Antonio de Béxar. Martín de Alarcón oversaw the work. This settlement later became the city of San Antonio.

Across the river in San Antonio, Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares

founded Mission San Antonio de Valero. The mission chapel there

is now known as the Alamo.

Who Established The Spanish Missions In Texas?...

Father Francisco Hidalgo

Hidalgo developed relationships with the N.A. tribes in the area and wanted to provide a place to teach them the Spanish ways of life. He secretly reached out to the French officials for help. Going behind the back of the Spanish officials was dangerous but that is how bad he wanted to help the tribes in his area.

• In about 1748, José de Escandón, a military leader from Spain, was given charge of territory from northern Mexico to the San Antonio River.

• This region was called Nuevo Santander.

• Escandón founded 20 settlements in this area. They included Laredo, the colony’s capital, and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores.

• Both were near the Rio Grande.

​

Multiple Choice

Why did the Spanish found a presidio and missions at San Antonio?

• large Native American population there

• to protect the supply route to East Texas missions

• to counter French influence in that area

• the make the first foothold in Texas

Multiple Choice

The chapel at the Mission San Antonio de Valero is now known as the _____.

• Buenaventura

• River City Church

• Presido

• Alamo