NAME DATE CLASS

Chapter Summary
Spanish Colonial Texas

Lesson 1: The First Missions

• Wars and conflicts in Europe affected European colonies across the world.
• In order to protect its land claims from the French in nearby French Louisiana, Spain
built missions, military outposts called presidios, and towns in Texas.
• The Hasinai called the Spanish Ta’sha, meaing “ally or friend.” From this word, the
Spanish began to call the area Tejas, which later was pronounced Texas.
• The first Spanish mission in East Texas, San Francisco de los Tejas, was dedicated on
June 1, 1690.
• In 1699 a mission called San Juan Bautista was established near the Rio Grande.
• Although Spanish law prohibited colonists from trading with foreigners such as the
French, Native Americans and Spanish settlers traded with each other.

Lesson 2: Settlements Grow

• In 1716 a large Spanish force established a new mission called Nuestro Padre San
Francisco de los Tejas in East Texas.
• The Spanish founded San Antonio as a settlement midway between the Rio Grande
and missions in East Texas.
• France declared war on Spain in 1718, and French forces from Natchitoches attacked a
mission in East Texas.
• The viceroy of New Spain ordered the Marqués de San Miguel de Aguayo to lead a
force into East Texas and battle the French.
• Aguayo built a large presidio near Natchitoches to show the French that Spain meant
to stay in Texas.

• Aguayo eventually established a secure supply line in Texas by setting up missions and
presidios all throughout Texas.
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NAME DATE CLASS

Chapter Summary
Spanish Colonial Texas

Lesson 3: Life in Spanish Texas

• Mission friars taught Native Americans the Spanish language and customs. They also
worked to make the Native Americans accept the Catholic religion and provided for the
religious needs of soldiers and settlers.
• Soldiers stationed in presidios protected the missions and settlers from the French and
Native American groups considered enemies.
• Settlers included the wives and children of soldiers, people of mixed Spanish and
Native American heritage, and African Americans. Over time, a unique Tejano character
developed in the settlements.
• Missions provided Native Americans with military protection and a dependable supply
of food. However, Native Americans tried to maintain their own traditions.
• The main reason some Native Americans agreed to live in missions was for protection
from enemies. Missions also gave native peoples a greater and more dependable
supply of food. As Native Americans adapted to mission life they tried to maintain their
own traditions, for example, by hunting and trading with other native peoples.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education.