USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1690, Spanish missions spread to East Texas after news surfaced of La Salle’s French settlements in the area. The Spanish settlers there encountered the Caddo Indians, who they called “Tejas” (derived from the Caddoan word “Tay-yas”, meaning friend).

Detailed explanation-2: -Spanish officials wanted to make communication and travel between East Texas and Mexico easier. To accomplish that goal, they decided to build a mission-presidio outpost along the San Antonio River. In 1718 Martín de Alarcón, the governor of Texas, led a group of colonists to the area.

Detailed explanation-3: -Territory Claims Threatened and French Incursions France had already claimed the Louisiana area on the border of Texas, and Spain worried that the French would encroach into Spanish territory.

Detailed explanation-4: -The La Salle expedition showed that France was interested in what is now Texas. The Spanish decided that to protect their claim, they needed settlements there. Over the next several decades, Spain established missions, military outposts called presidios, and towns in lands occupied by Native Americans.