USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The California missions began in the late 18th century as an effort to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and expand European territory. Spain was responsible for the missions, which scholars believe were attempts to colonize the Pacific coast of North America.

Detailed explanation-2: -They believed that they were given the divine right and responsibility of Christianizing as many parts of the world as possible. Missionaries themselves were motivated by the desire to construct the Americas as the site of pure Christianity.

Detailed explanation-3: -In many cases, the Spanish missionaries led the settlement and early government of these remote outposts. Spanish missionaries were people who were sent by the Roman Catholic Church and the Spanish royal authorities to other lands to convert people to Christianity.

Detailed explanation-4: -The first mission was set up in 1769 by the Spanish soldier and explorer Gaspar de Portolá and the Spanish priest Junípero Serra. The first mission was San Diego de Alcalá. Twenty more missions followed.