USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The first Spanish missions were established in the 1680s near present-day San Angelo, El Paso and Presidio – areas that were closely tied to settlements in what is today New Mexico. In 1690, Spanish missions spread to East Texas after news surfaced of La Salle’s French settlements in the area.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Spanish began establishing missions in Texas in the 1600s. Priests and soldiers from Spain’s New Mexico missions set up outposts in San Angelo, El Paso, and Presidio.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -The first Spanish mission in East Texas, San Francisco de los Tejas, was begun in May 1690 as a response to the La Salle expedition.

Detailed explanation-5: -The general purpose of the missions was to “reduce” or congregate the often nomadic tribes into a settlement, convert them to Christianity, and teach them crafts and agricultural techniques.