USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Although Alonso Álvarez de Pineda claimed Texas for Spain in 1519, the area was largely ignored by Spain until the late seventeenth century. In 1685, the Spanish learned that France had established a colony in the area between New Spain and Florida.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Spanish Colonial era in Texas began with a system of missions and presidios, designed to spread Christianity and to establish control over the region. The missions were managed by friars from the order of St.

Detailed explanation-3: -Spain had been busy establishing colonies in Mexico and New Mexico; however, when they discovered Fort Saint Louis, Alonso de Leon was sent to destroy it. The discovery of Fort St. Louis led Spain to renew its colonization efforts in Texas.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Spanish established themselves in Texas by using the same system they had established in Arizona and New Mexico. Through missions, presidios, and an adjoining civilian community (a villa), missionaries and soldiers Christianized and Hispanicized the native population.

Detailed explanation-5: -Spain Begins to Explore Texas In 1519, Spanish explorer and map-maker Alonso Álvarez de Pineda led an Spanish expedition that, for the first time, mapped the coast of Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. From this expedition and the ones that followed, Spain claimed the area of present-day Texas as part of their territory.