The Conquistadores arrived
in the Americas in 1492, bringing with them disease and the belief that the
natives were sub-human. Their goal was
to create an “economy…based on exploitation, both of land
and of Indian labor. The first Spanish settlers organized the encomienda system
by which Spaniards were given title to American land and ownership of the
villages on that land. In return for promises to convert the Indians to
Christianity, the Spanish were allowed to use the land and labor any way they
saw fit. This system quickly turned into something very close to outright
slavery.” (Smoop.com)
Soon small pox, flu, TB, and other diseases killed
millions everywhere the Spanish soldiers and priests went. Sometimes 95% of the populations died. Due to the harsh rule and high death rate,
the Spanish soon did not have enough workers to work the land and return a
percentage to Spain. They began
importing African slaves into the Americas.
The Spanish government tried hard to rule the Americas from far away Europe,
but in the end they created a government style that’s still used in South
America today.
“Religion
was mixed with politics to create a hybrid system in what would become the
American Southwest: Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries were often
left in charge of large areas in what is now Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and,
later, California.” (Smoop.com)
The priests brought their diseases, the harsh system of government, and
their goal to bring the natives to Jesus with the founding of the Mission San
Diego de Alcala by Father Junipero Serra in 1769.
He
marched up the California Coastline stopping long enough to build a mission and
teach the gospel a day’s length apart. Though
Father Serra died in 1784, the Missions continue to be built until 1823. Mexico secularized the Missions in 1833, at
which point some were abandoned, some sold, and in 1842 two became the first Catholic
parishes ending the harsh cycle of disease and slavery.
In
1946, Maud R. Gunthorp published her book on the Missions. With a Sketchbook Along the Old
Mission Trail is remarkably light on text and history, but her
sketches and drawings give a unique view of the Missions just as they were
returning to public consciousness. In her sketches, Missions are often shown as
melting piles of adobe or lines of collapsed walls. In a few
cases she was able to report restoration underway. Now in 2015, we have many of these restored Missions
available to enjoy as architectural treasures into the next century.
Links:
I know. It's so sad.
ReplyDeleteOur past isn't so great. The present isn't always something to be proud of either.
ReplyDeleteall in the name of progress
ReplyDeleteI love the old missions, and we have been through many.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly pitiful, shameful, tragic. So much of this was repeated elsewhere including Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I visit history I am amazed that I am here!
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother on my mother's sides' ancestors were soldiers who came to California with Father Serra. My sister knows quite a lot about the family history. It's a long story.
ReplyDelete