PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What is a mission?
- Do you know what a mission is? A mission is the community ran by teachers of religion.
- In 1769, priest from Spain began founding missions in California.
- The missions were like small villages where they tried to convert Native Amaricans to Christianity.
- Native Americans who lived at missions had to get used to a new way of life. They were forced to follow strict shedules of work, prayers, and lessons.
From 1767 to 1823 the leaders of Spain sent priests to California to set up communities called missions. Spain wanted to claim that land before any other European nation did.
Father Serra was young priest in Spain, he dreamed of becoming missionary. His dream finally came true when he and his helpers arrived near San Diego, they climbed to the top of a hill and planted a large wooden cross. This was the first mission.
The Spanish believed that god had led them to California in order to save the souls of Indian people
In 54 years, Spain set up 21 missions in California. A dirt road called El Camino Real connected the missions. Supplies, soldiers, and missionaries traveled from Mexico by ship and on foot. Today U.S Highway 101closely follow El Camino Real.
Native Americans who had been recently baptized were called NEOPHYTES
Mission bells were rung to announce that it was time to eat, work, or pray.
Spanish people brought many things with them like, long distance ships, pigs, sheep, guns, horses. Native Americans were exposed to strange language and writing but the diseases were the worse, it was new and deadly for Native Americans.
There were no oranges in California
1823 The last of the 21 missions is opened, called San Francisco Solano
1848 California becomes part of the United States
1833 Mexican leaders take
