The Spanish Mission System

In the late 17th century, Spain wanted to expand its territory and wealth, which lead to the Mission System Alta California to colonize the territory. From 1769 to 1823, Franciscan missionaries built twenty-one missions along the coast of California in territories occupied by various Indian tribes. The goal of these missions was to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism and to teach Natives the European lifestyle. While participation in the missions was voluntary, the Native Americans were not aware of the difficult journey ahead of them. The Mission System did more bad than good; it caused one of the most devastating death tolls in history and never fully completed its goal. Although the missions introduced vegetables, cattle, horses, …show more content…
An important point regarding the Spanish missions is that it was essentially the first major attempt at colonizing Alta California. Because of this, the Spanish didn’t have previous experience to help them carry out a successful plan. One of the main reasons for their failure was their approach to the Indian tribes. The Spanish viewed the Indians as an uncivilized group of people that needed assistance from the Spanish to convert them and teach them their more “civilized” ways. By promising the Indians food and clothing, the Spanish believed their mission system would be successful. However, they failed to understand the Indian tribes were doing fairly well before their intrusion. In addition, the Indians were highly skillful in various hunting techniques that allowed them to survive so long without interference. Their relationship with nature was in a way; their religion and the Spanish were not able to respect this. Overall, the Spanish underestimated the Indians in that they didn’t expect resistance from them. Even though they lived a live the Spanish deemed as “uncivilized”, it had worked well for …show more content…
While the Spanish had taught some Indians acquired knowledge of European occupations and Spanish culture, the price was hefty. The missions eventually collapsed due to lack of financial support and revolts by New Spain, and the remaining Indians were left with the aftermath of the missions. After laws were passed to free the Indians, many had nowhere to go to and nothing to do to support themselves and their families. Some left in the hopes of finding support elsewhere. But overall, the Indians lives were changed and not in a positive way. Their hard work, endurance, and loss of families didn’t result in any prize. Most of the Indian population was killed off; before the Spanish arrived there was an estimation of about 300,000 Native Americans and that number had dropped to 20,000 by1843. The Spanish had also promised to give the Missions over to the Indians and this never occurred. Furthermore, the Spanish Missions could have turned out differently if the Spanish had invested more time and thought into understanding the Indian tribes and treating them well so that the Missions would have not only benefited the Spanish, but the Indians as