Spanish missions in California

The Spanish Missions in California (more simply referred to as the "California Missions") comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier land. The missions introduced European livestock, fruits, vegetables, and industry into the California region. In addition to the presidio (royal fort) and pueblo (town), the misión was one of the three major agencies employed by the Spanish crown to extend its borders and consolidate its colonial territories.

Related Topics:
Religious - Spanish - Catholic - Dominican - Jesuits - Franciscan - Christian - Native Americans - European - Livestock - Fruit - Vegetables - Industry - California - Colonial

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Since 1493, Spain had maintained a number of missions throughout New Spain (Mexico and portions of what today are the Southwestern United States) in order to facilitate colonization of these lands. In this context, the term "California" is used to refer to the territory that comprises Alta California (chiefly the current U.S. state of California) and the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. It was not until the threat of invasion by Czarist Russia in 1765, however, that the King felt such installations were necessary in Upper ("Alta") California.

Related Topics:
1493 - Spain - New Spain - Mexico - Southwestern - United States - Alta California - California - Baja California - Baja California Sur - Czarist - Russia - 1765

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