Quick Recap...

• In the 1700s, the Spanish wanted to claim lands in North America for Spain, especially in the western coast.

• They conquered Baja California (Mexico) first, and then Alta California (California).

• They did this by building missions in California between 1700s and 1800s.

• Spanish missionaries used the missions to convert Native Americans to the Catholic faith.

• They believed if Natives turned to the Catholic faith, they would become loyal to the king of Spain and pay taxes (money)!​

False!

Hundreds of years before the first mission in CA, the Spanish travelled all around the world to teach Christianity to people. They build safe places to teach, feed, clothe, and shelter people.

21 California Missions!

• First (1769) - Mission San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego

• Last (1823) - Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma

Natives built the missions

• Natives agreed to build the missions in exchange for provisions (food, good clothing, etc.)

• Later, the Spanish forced them to live and work there because they couldn't build the missions without the help of Natives.

Running the Missions

Some of the jobs natives had at the missions include:​

• Farming

• Construction

• Cattle ranching

• Basket weaving

• Candlemaking

• Blacksmithing

• Clothes-making

Changing the Natives

• Some Natives joined and changed their ways because of the free food they received.

• Children were baptized and then worked for the padres.

• They were taught to give up their traditional ways and learn the Spanish ways.

Living by the Rules

• Some missionaries treated the Natives with respect, while some missionaries treated them as slaves.

• All mission leaders wanted order, so strict rules had to be followed.

• Bells kept their schedules, which was hard and strange for the Natives.

The End of the CA Mission System

• Natives rebelled!

• 1775 - about 800 Kumeyaay burned down the San Digeo mission (it was later rebuilt)

• 1785 - the San Gabriel mission was attacked too

• Mexico won their independence from Spain and broke up the missions.

But Native lives were changed forever.

• Some became used to the European lifestyle and continued to live that way.

• Their lands taken by other people, so many lost their homes and couldn't go back to their traditional ways, such as hunting and gathering.

• Many took jobs as farmers.