Learning, Exploring and Discovering: Our Homeschool Life: California History Lesson 15 (California Missions)

California History

California Missions
Lesson 15

Suppose you see a friend stand before a swing on the playground and say, “I claim this swing as mine for this recess.” If your friend then walked away, would you honor your friend’s claim? Would other kids? Probably not. To claim something you must occupy it - you must sit and use it. Otherwise, the minute he walks away, someone else will use it.

Spain had sent explorers, but began to worry about other countries settling the land. The king also thought about the natives as having souls that needed to be saved. Two men were sent on an expedition into California - Gaspar de Portola led the soldiers and Junipero Serra led the priests who would teach the Indians about God. Both of these men were good leaders. The goal was to start two missions, one in San Diego and one in Monterey. Spain believed that starting missions would hold the land for Spain as well as teach the Indians about God.

This first expedition set out in groups of four. Two parties traveled by ship and two by land. The ships arrived first and then the land parties. Sadly, more than ⅓ of the 300 men who set out died during the journey. The group made it to San Diego and set up the first mission - San Diego de Alcala. After passing it by and then trying a second time, Monterey Bay was found and the second mission was founded - San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. This mission was Junipero Serra’s headquarters. Captain Portola gave his command over to Pedro Fages and left California. He was an important part of California’s history. He was the leader of the first expedition, the first governor, and the discoverer of San Francisco Bay. Before he left, he warned Father Serra that Fages was not a man to be trusted.

Captain Portola’s warnings proved to be true. Pedro Fages worked the soldiers very hard and cut their food rations. He was also unkind to Father Serra. Father Serra, however, did not let Fages stop him. He founded three more missions - San Antonio de Padua, San Gabriel Arcangel and San Luis Obispo deTolosa. Father Serra went to Mexico City to ask for more support and for a new leader. Captain Rivera was chosen as the next governor, but he was also a problem for Father Serra.

Father Serra helped California grow by suggesting a survey be taken to find a new land route to California from Sonora, Mexico. He knew that the only way the area would grow is if families came and settled. Juan Bautista de Anza led a party in 1774 and then later in 1775 he brought 17 families. These families agreed to work for Spain for 10 years and then stay as permanent settlers.

Despite difficulty, Father Serra established 7 more missions, for a total of 12 before he died. Fray Fermin de Lasuen continued the work that Father Serra had begun. A total of 21 missions were built along a route known as El Camino Real. Today this route is known as Highway 101. The missions were about a day’s walk apart.

While Spain had wanted to build the mission to hold the land, Father Serra and the other priests desired to teach the Indians about God. The Spanish government desired the Indians to be self-supporting citizens of New Spain. They thought that after 10 years, the Indians would be ready to move on and farm their own land. This did not happen as the government desired.

The priests did teach the Indians about the Catholic religion; about the one true God. They also taught them weaving, brick making, pottery, tanning, smithing, cooking, shepherding and farming. Many Indians helped the priests build buildings, plow and harvest crops, and take care of animals.

While some Indians were happy on the missions, others were not. Many Indians revolted against the missions, setting fire to buildings and stealing. The Indians who remained on the missions had to give up their own culture and way of life. They were not allowed to leave the missions. Many became sick from the diseases the Spanish brought. After 10 or even 15 years, the Indians had become so dependent on the missions, they were not able to live on their own.

In spite of this, however, the missions were the most successful of any other attempts to settle California. They had large herds of horses, cattle, sheep and swine. They were able to raise crops and had hides and tallow to trade with merchants.

Activities

1) Fill in the blanks of mission history

California Missions History Fill in the Blank

1. To claim something you must occupy it - you use it.
2. Spain began to worry about other countries settling the land.
3. The king also thought about the natives as having souls that needed to be saved.

4. Gaspar de Portola led the soldiers.
5. Junipero Serra led the priests who would teach the Indians about God.

6. The goal was to start two missions, one in San Diego and one in Monterey.
7. Spain believed that starting missions would hold the land for Spain as well as teach the Indians about God.
8. The group made it to San Diego and set up the first mission - San Diego de Alcala.
9. Monterey Bay was found and the second mission was founded - San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. This mission was Junipero Serra’s headquarters.
10. Captain Portola was an important part of California’s history. He was the leader of the first expedition, the first governor, and the discoverer of San Francisco Bay.
11. Captain Portola gave his command over to Pedro Fages.
12. Pedro Fages worked the soldiers very hard and cut their food rations. He was also unkind to Father Serra.
13. Father Serra did not let Fages stop him. He founded three more missions - San Antonio de Padua, San Gabriel Arcangel and San Luis Obispo deTolosa.
14. Father Serra helped California grow by suggesting a new land route to California from Sonora, Mexico be found.

15. Juan Bautista de Anza led a party in 1774 and then later in 1775; he brought 17 families.
16. Father Serra established 7 more missions, for a total of 12 before he died.
17. Fray Fermin de Lasuen continued the work that Father Serra had begun.
18. A total of 21 missions were built along a route known as El Camino Real.
19. The missions were about a day’s walk apart.
20. The Spanish government desired the Indians to be self-supporting citizens of New Spain. They thought that after 10 years, the Indians would be ready to move on and farm their own land.
21. The priests did teach the Indians about the one true God and other skills.
22. Some Indians were happy on the missions, others revolted.
23. The Indians who remained on the missions had to give up their own culture and way of life. Many became sick from the diseases the Spanish brought. After 10 or 15 years, the Indians were not able to live on their own.

24.The missions were the most successful of any other attempts to settle California.

2) List where the missions are located on a map of California