Lesson 1: The Sacred Expedition and Spanish Rule

To control California, Spain built a system with three parts working together. First, priests built missions to convert Native Americans to Christianity and teach them the Spanish way of life.

Second, soldiers lived in nearby forts called presidios to protect the missions and Spanish lands. To feed the soldiers, Spain also created farming towns called pueblos. Farmers in the pueblos grew food for the people living in the presidios. This system was designed to secure the territory for Spain.

Life in the mission looked different depending on who you asked. To the Spanish missionaries, the mission was a place of order and salvation where they taught religion and farming. They believed they were helping Native Americans.

But for many Native Americans, known as neophytes, the mission was often a place of lost freedom. They were strictly controlled by bells and soldiers, forced to work long hours, and punished if they tried to leave or practice their old traditions.

European contact had a devastating impact on California’s indigenous people. The most dangerous enemy was not soldiers, but invisible germs. The Spanish brought diseases like measles and smallpox.

Because Native Americans had no immunity (natural protection) against these new sicknesses, epidemics spread quickly. Combined with the harsh living conditions in the missions, the Native American population in California dropped dramatically during this era.