Spain vs. France

The race for Texas

Territory• French Territory: area northeast of Texas

• Spanish Territory: area southwest of Texas

• Texas is a buffer: neutral territory between two opposites

Spanish

French

BUFFER

Spanish Missions

• set up missions in east Texas to convert the religion of Natives

• Natives become hostile

• Spain loses interest in Texas—France is not a threat (La Salle’s failed mission)

The French Return• Stay away for 10 years

• Begin setting up missions east of Texas (by Louisiana)

• start trading with the Natives

• Say they only want to help the Natives, not set up colonies…

Spanish Back in East Texas

• Spanish want a midpoint from central Mexico and East Texas

• Chose: San Antonio, Texas

• 1718: Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as:

The ALAMO!

Spanish—Move to Power

• supply abandoned missions to impress the natives

• Set up presidios– military support

• Totals: 10 missions, 4 presidios

• Spain’s power was secure– France only in charge:

1685-1689