California Missions

In 1769, the Spanish government created a settlement in California before England or Russia could settle it. They called it New Spain. They sent Father Junipero Serra and Juan Crespi to Alta to build the first Mission. The Spanish government wanted to gain control over the Native Americans and make them loyal to them.

Father Serra wanted to convert them to Christianity.

Father Serra offered the Native Americans gifts so they would come to the missions. At first, they were very interested in the Spanish ways of life: They liked their tools and their farming methods. They learned how to grow plants and raise farm animals. But soon the Native Americans were doing hard labor at the missions. They were expected to live at the mission, go to religion classes, and learn the Spanish language. Father Serra baptized over 54,000 of them.

There were 21 missions built from San Diego to Sonoma between 1769 and 1823. As the mission system grew, many Native Americans were forced to move there. The Spanish had taken their land, and they had no food. They could eat and be safe at the Missions. Some Native Americans who left the Missions became fugitives. Sometimes, Native Americans were sent after them to persuade them to come back. Other times, a priest would talk to them. In other instances, a soldier would find them and force them to return. The death rate of Native Americans was extremely high during the mission period. Many Native Americans were getting diseases that were brought over by the Spanish, and there was no medicine to cure them. Also, the work at the missions was grueling, and the living conditions were unsanitary