Spanish Settlement in Texas1650-1800 Part II

Spain reacts to the “Chicken War”

• After the Chicken War the Spanish army reestablishes Spanish authority in East Texas in 1721

• It builds the Presidio (Fort) San Jose in San Antonio and greatly increases the amount of troops in Texas

Mission San Jose

PresidiosPresidios

•The main purpose of a presidio was to protect missions attacks, as presidios were military bases.

•After their ten year enlistment, many soldiers obtained land in Texas and settled down with their family.

•Soldiers in the Presidio often lived a hard life. They were paid poorly and often had to take jobs in the community.

Painting of the Presidio

La Bahia

Spanish Strongholds in East Texas are Established

• By 1721 abandoned missions were reopened and guarded by hundreds of soldiers.

• Presidio Los Adaes became the capital of newly created province of Texas (Natchitoches LA.) NAK-ə-təsh

• Texas was now secured by Spain

Los Adaes

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Fortadaes.jpg

Colonists Arrive

• Spain needed new settlers for Texas to grow and survive

• In 1731 Spain sent 55 people from the Canary Islands to settle San Antonio

France No Longer a Threat

• Over the next 20 years relations with France became more peaceful

• Spanish focus on missionary work

• French focus on trade

• To reduce costs Spain reduced troops in East Texas

• Without military protection from Indians, the East Texas missions could not survive

• Many moved closer to San Antonio

San Saba Massacre• In 1757 the Mission San Saba was

built but it was unsuccessful in converting the Lipan Apaches

• In 1758 Comanche attacked San Saba, killing the priests and soldiers

San Saba Massacre

Spain Seeks Revenge• The Spanish sent Col. Ortiz Parilla and

500 soldiers to lead an attack on the Comanche near the Red River.

• Despite their advanced weapons, the Spanish were defeated

The King makes changes• After French and

Indian War, Spain acquired all of French Louisiana west of the Mississippi River

• In 1767 the King of Spain Carlos III, sent the Marques de Rubi to inspect Texas.

Marques de Rubi

Spanish Territory

English Territory

• The Rubi Report Found: A) French were no longer a threat

B) The capital should be moved from Los Adaes to San Antonio (East to Central Texas)

C) Spain should form an alliance with Comanche against the Apache

• In 1779, Antonio Gil Y'Barbo (e-barvo) founded Nacogdoches with the settlement of 350 people at the location of the abandoned East Texas missions.

Founding of Nacogdoches