Texas History
French Intentions With Texas
Both Spain and France were major European Powers during the Age of Discovery, roughly after 1600. Spain, of course, annexed Mexico and much of Central and South America, while the French concentrated on the Great Lakes region and south down the Mississippi. In 1682, for instance, Vavelier and La Salle journied down the Mississippi and with 300 soldiers and the support of King Louis XVI established the Louisiana Territory. The Spanish were continually wanting to expand their territory in the New World, seeing this as a way to also dominate Europe. They were wary of French intentions in the Mississippi region, and between 1686 and 1691 sent a total of 9 expeditions from New Spain (Mexico) to Texas, four by sea and two by land, to search for the French.
The French, in particular, just as they would do further north, enlisted the aid of the native populations against the French. Through bribery and intrigue, they told the native tribes lies about the French and pursued as many allied relationships as possible along the Mississippi basin. Talon and Meunier stayed with many of the Indian tribes, but continued to advocate for French interests.
From the Spanish perspective, the importance was moving into Texas through most of the 1700s to establish several missions and maintain a buffer between Spanish and French Territory. In fact, San Antonio was established as a way station between the missions and nearest Spanish Settlement. The Spanish settlements, though, because a target for at least three decades of Apache attacks, at least until 1749. It was not until 1785 when the Spanish made peace with the Comanche that there was any degree of safety in the area.
France, then, formally relinquished its claim to Texas in 1762 when French Louisiana was ceded to Spain and Texas was no longer necessary as a buffer zone. In 1799, Spain gave Louisiana back to France, and then Napoleon sold the territory...
The missions were set up as small towns, with military protection and settlers (agriculturally based, etc.) surrounding the areas. They were strategicially placed as outputs and manned by Domincans, Jesuits, and Frnaciscans to spread Christianity to the Native American tribes -- with the added benefit of settling the frontier. Ecologically, the missions introduced European livestock, fruits, vegtables and industry into the region. However, the missions were designed to be set up as close as possible to Spanish style and culture. In order to bevome Spanish citizens, then, any native Americans had to learn to speak Spanish, vocational skills, and adopt the culture of their new masters. In addition, the strictness of Catholicism was seen as a way to gather more control over the native populations by making the missionaries part of the State culture of assimilation rather than trusting this to civilians and soldiers.
However, as word began to spread that there was land available, more and more settlers arrived and turned the missions into small towns, then into cities. The settlers also demanded protection from the Native American tribes, who saw this incursion as an invasion. The Native Americans could also not understand the unsustainable agricultural practices used by the Spanish and settlers, and felt that their land and way of life was being threatened. This was particularly true of the Apache and Cado, who responded by raiding the missions, raiding settler wagon trains, and creating havoc for the Spanish.
Part 3 -- Trouble between Spain and the United States 1803-1821.
When the United States purchased Louisiana…
