CALIFORNIA MISSIONS & NATIVE AMERICANS

      Spain thought the best way to start a colony in Californa was by setting up missions.

      Gasper de Portola, a Spanish army captain, and Father Junipero Serra, a Catholic priest, set out for California. On July 16, 1769, Father Serra set up the first mission in Alta California at San Diego.

    Eventually, over the years, the missions would be approximately a day's walk from one another. The missions' sites were chosen in valleys, near fresh water, rich soil, and near friendly native Americans.
 
     After claiming the land for Spain, the priests focused on teaching the Indians about Christianity and the Spanish culture. They also showed the Indians techniques of building with adobe bricks, carpentry, blacksmithing, working in the fields, and tending the animals. Work at the missions was very hard for the Indians. They had to follow all of the rules set up by the priests and work day and night.  If the Indians broke any rules or tried to return to their tribes, they were punished.

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