Spanish Settlements Life in Spanish Texas MISSIONS Missions

Spanish Settlements Life in Spanish Texas

MISSIONS

Missions l Convert Natives to the Catholic faith l Four walls, with lookout towers at the corners l Inside: priests’ offices, rooms for weaving cloth, shops for different jobs l Chapel: not formal Sunday services, but for baptisms, weddings, and funerals

Daily Life in Missions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Morning prayer 30 minutes of instruction Reciting of the rosary Breakfast Work Evening meal Instruction and prayer Sleep

Failure of Missions l Women died giving birth l European diseases killed many l New diet made them sick l Too expensive for Spain to keep up with

PRESIDIOS

Presidios l Provided military support l l l l Protect colonists from Native Americans Return natives who ran away from missions Rectangular with four tall walls and lookout points Barracks for soldiers Chapel Storage rooms Only one entrance

Daily Life in Presidios l 10 year commitment l Hard work, constant danger l Many did not get along with priests l Not paid much, supplies were high cost l Often got second jobs to be able to afford basic supplies

PUEBLOS

Pueblos = Towns l Homes made from logs, adobe, and stone l Jacals: huts with thatched roof, walls covered in mud or clay l Built dams as a form of irrigation

Life in the Pueblos l Worked as gunsmiths, bakers, merchants, carpenters, etc. l Very limited education, only wealthy could afford books l Women: sewed, washed, midwives, teaching morals and values, owned property separate from husband l Alcalde: official acting as mayor, sheriff, and judge

Activities for Fun l Horse racing l Festivals, outdoor activities l Telling folktales, singing ballads PROBLEMS: l Unsanitary living conditions l Diseases, few doctors or medicines l Raids by Native Texans

RANCHES

Ranches l Supplied the towns with wool, animal hides, and other materials l Used fat to create soap and candles l Horses supplied to soldiers

Growth of the Cattle Industry l between San Antonio and the Guadalupe Rivers known as “cradle of Texas ranching”

Ranches l Vaqueros = cowhands or cowboys l Easier than farming: Cattle could stand the harsh climate l Cattle easier to move than crops l Farming required irrigation l Farms had to compete with Missions for workers l