After this introduction to the unit vocabulary, students will know how to use social studies terminology correctly, including Catholicism, colonization, friar, mission, missionary, presidio, priest, and smallpox.
THIS UNIT
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Pacing
This unit is a __-week study of the Spanish Colonial era. Suggested pacing minutes are based on the average time it takes a class to complete each lesson; however, as the educator, use your best judgment based on the average pace of your class learning styles.
Contents
Era Overview
During the Spanish Colonial Era (1690-1820), Spain made numerous attempts to settle and control Texas. But the major challenge that Spain never overcame was that various American Indian tribes remained the dominant forces controlling the regions that would eventually become Texas.
Beginning in the 1690s, Spaniards attempted to control Texas by establishing numerous missions throughout the region. The goal of these missions was to instruct local native peoples on Spanish civilization and, in the process, transform them into loyal Spanish subjects. Yet these missions never succeeded because they failed to attract Indians (since virtually none wanted to adapt themselves to Spanish culture) and Spanish authorities in Mexico City put few resources into supporting these far-flung missions. Spain, as a result, never secured a strong presence in Texas and began abandoning the region’s mission system during the 1790s.
By the early 1800s, the Comanches and Apaches of the Texas Plains and the
Caddos of East Texas controlled far more of the region than did the Spanish.
When the Mexican War for Independence broke out in 1810, the violence and
bloodshed that followed further weakened the already anemic Spanish presence
within Texas. When Comanches and Apaches responded by increasing their
raiding of San Antonio during the 1810s, Spain’s presence in Texas careened
toward the edge of total collapse. By late 1820, the situation had become
so dire that the Spanish leadership in San Antonio considered abandoning
the province altogether. Which turned out to be the same moment that Moses
Austin arrived in San Antonio from the United States with a proposal to bring
American colonists into Texas.
Other Units
Lessons
Most lessons contain downloadable and printable documents, activities, and other resources to aid in classroom instruction. Lesson materials are available in multiple formats and typically contain variations based on learning needs.
Spanish Colonial Unit Vocabulary
Unit Plan # 1
60 min
none
722A
73B
Maps
We've assembled the following list of maps that are applicable to the Spanish Colonial Unit.
L'Amerique meridionale et septentrionale : dressée selon les dernieres relations et suivant les nouvelles decouvertes dont les points principaux sont placez sur les observations de Mss. de l'Academie Royale des Sciences
Map shows late seventeenth century geography, cities, political borders, and points of interest in North America, South America, and parts of England and France.
Idea naturalis Americae Borealis digito dei formata geographice proposita an MDCC
"Map shows southern and eastern portions of North America, Central America, the northeast coast of South America, the Caribbean islands, and California (depicted as an island)."
Le vieux Mexique, ou, Nouvelle Espagne avec les costes de la Floride : faisant-partic de l'Amerique septentrionale / par N. de Fer.
"Relief shown pictorially. Hand colored. Paris : Chez l'auteur dans l'Isle du Palais sur le quay de l'Orloge a la sphere royale avec privil du roy, 1702."
Théâtre de la guerre en Amerique telle qu'elle est à present possedée par les Espagnols
"Map shows the route of the Spanish fleet between Veracruz and Havana; possessions of Spain, England, France and Holland; boundaries, cities, settlements, islands and coastlines for the Gulf of Mexico."
North America: corrected from the observations communicated to the Royal Society at London, and the Royal Academy at Paris
"Map shows major settlements, areas of Native American habitation, and political divisions for the known extent of the continent of North America as far as the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes; Florida, Mexico, New Spain, islands of the West Indies, New Mexico, Greenland, New France, and New Britain; northwestern portions as 'incognita,' with a series of lakes and a 'lake of salt,' and lands of the nations of 'Mozeemlecks' and 'Gnacsitares.'"
Carte tres curieuse de la mer du sud, contenant des remarques nouvelles et tres utiles non seulement sur les ports et iles de cette mer: mais aussy sur les principaux pays de l'Amerique tant Septentrionale que Meridionale, avec les noms & la route des voyageurs par qui la decouverte en a ètè faite [Sheet 1]
"Map shows major settlements and coastal details for North and South America, western portions of Europe and Africa and eastern portions of Asia."
A map of Mexico or New Spain, Florida now called Louisiana and part of California &c.
"Map shows settlements, areas of Native American habitation, and notable physical features from the lower portion of North America to the northwestern corner of South America."
Carte du Mexique et de la Floride des terres anglaises et des Isles Antilles, du cours et des environs de la riviere de Mississippi
"Map shows cities, towns, and geographical features of Mexico, the West Indies, and Florida as known during the early eighteenth century."
Mexique ou Nouvelle Espagne suivant les nouvelles observations de messrs. de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, etc.
"Map shows the provinces of New Spain and major towns, the Yucatan peninsula, and upper Central America."
Mappa geographica complectens, I. Indiae occidentalem, II. Isthmum Panamensem, III. Ichnographiam præcipuorum locorum & portuum ad has terras pertinentium : Desumta omnia ex Historia Insulæ S. Dominici & pro præsenti statu belli, quod est 1740 inter Anglos & Hispanos exortum
"Map shows European possessions, cities, settlements, and notable physical features; fortification, streets, buildings, and harbor layout for cities in mid-eighteenth century Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies."
North America : performed under the patronage of Louis Duke of Orleans, First Prince of the Blood [Sheet 4]
"Map shows provinces, cities, towns, forts, Native American villages, tribal territory, shoals, banks, and other details along the coast of Mexico."
Mexico, or, New Spain in which the motions of Cortes may be traced
"Map shows provinces of New Spain, [Baja] California, "New Albion." Includes notes. New Mexico and Louisiana are shown separated by "Great Space of Land unknown." Areas of Native American habitation are noted."
Charte von Nordamerica : nach den neuesten Bestimmungen und Entdeckungen
"Map shows French Louisiana, the United States toe the Mississippi River, West Indies, British possessions, and Spanish possessions of New Mexico and New Spain; particular detail along the northwest Pacific coast of North America, large portion of western [future United States] is left blank and labeled as "Quivira"; major cities, major roads, and areas of Native American habitation."
The First Map of Texas: A Sketch of Alfonso Álvarez de Pineda's exploration of the Gulf of Mexico, taken from the original in the Archivo de Indias
"Map drawn by Pineda while on a royal mission in 1519 to map the unknown shoreline between Florida and Cabo Rojo. Pineda’s map is the first known topographic rendering of the Texas coastline."
A map of early expeditions through the Gonzales County region, 1689-1768
"Map shows scenes of exploration and Native Americans in early Gonzales County, Texas."
Videos
We provide videos for both continuing education and classroom use. Please see each video's descriptive page for related resources and details about accessibility and viewing options.
Preview of the Spanish Colonial Period
In this video, we explore the challenges of what most people consider to be the Spanish Colonial Period in Texas. Students will learn about the struggles and relationships between the Spanish settlers and American Indian tribes from the late 1600s to 1821.
Spaniards in Indian Country
Spanish exploration in Texas, covering: (1) The World that Silver Made, (2) Presidios and Missions, (3) La Salle and the French Threat.
The (Many) Failures of the Spaniards
Spanish colonization in Texas, covering: (1) First Attempt of Missions, 1690-1693, (2) Second Attempt, 1716-1722, (3) Life on the Spanish Frontier, (4) Arrival of the Comanche, (5) Texas by 1800.
Collapse of Spain in Texas (Part 1)
The end of Spanish colonization and rule in Texas, covering: (1) Texas by 1800; (2) Major Problems for Spain in Texas: [a] Louisiana Purchase, 1803, [b] Mexican War for Independence, 1810-1820.
Collapse of Spain in Texas (Part 2)
The end of Spanish colonization and rule in Texas (continued from part 1), covering: (2) Major Problems for Spain in Texas: [c] Increased Indian Raids 1814-1820, [d] Invading Americans, 1819-1820; (3) Mexico’s Dilemma of Independence.
More Resources
The following list of resources provide additional information to help you dive deeper into the context of the unit. Books are linked to OCLC WorldCat, allowing you find a copy in your nearest local library or to make a request for it using interlibrary loan.
General
website Results for Spanish Texas, 1690-1821 in The Portal to Texas History
Digital copies of primary sources and other documents from our about this time period contributed to The Portal to Texas History by institutional partners from across the State.