Reasons For Spain's Settlement In Texas

Spain's main reason for settlement in Texas was to gain power through gold, glory, land, and religion When a new group of settlers lands in an atypical area, they bring their own knowledge, skills, and beliefs with them. Spain's settlement goal in 1690 was to spread religion to the natives, and the Spanish also wanted to use Texas to keep the French away from expanding to

Mexico.

Religious Mission

The Spanish wanted to convert a group called the Caddo into a catholic group, which did not go as planned due to the Caddo not needing the help of Spanish missions. The Caddo mission failed in 1691, and their independence was protected from being taken over by Spanish beliefs due to their survival skills. They wanted to continue with their freedom

In contrast, the Indian tribe of Coahuiltecans was most likely to accept to live in the missions because while being converted by the Spanish, they were provided with food, shelter, and received protection. Spanish prohibited any trade that dealt with weapons, and this gave the Caddo another reason to not follow the Spanish rule. Unlike the Spanish, the Caddo would trade with the French, and this turned the Caddo to face commercial relations with the

French instead. Due to having another failed mission in the 1710s in east Texas, the Spanish settled missions along the coast and presidios. The mission decline was the reason why the

Spanish moved towards San Antonio Texas, and this made it the largest Spanish city. Having a large community form in San Antonio, the Spanish committed to another mission in east Texas in the 1720s, and these missions were aided by the population in San Antonio.

Governor Aguayo presidios

Aguayo set off with five hundred men making it by far the largest Spanish expedition, and they were targeting the Caddo. The Caddo at this point were already residents of both Texas

The Spanish were facing economic decline due to thinking Texas was going to provide them with gold, but they never ended up finding anything, and this created tension between soldiers and the people who lived in the missions.

Ranching

Religion isn't the only goal the Spanish wanted the natives to convert to, they also wanted to teach and advise natives on practical skills. One of the skills included ranching, training Indians in these areas would later benefit the Spanish because Indians would have to pay taxes when using the skill of ranching for their own needs and benefits. There was a large number of wild cattle including horses in the southern and central parts of Texas (San Antonio area). Indians were taught to ride horses and how to perform the skills of a “cowboy”. The Teran and Governor

Aguayo expeditions and missions in San Antonio were areas where the Indians were taught how to ranch, this brought large amounts of cattle to Texas, which expanded the ranching industry in

Texas. This movement brought up the famous phrase “Texas Cowboys”.