A mission was a complex of buildings that housed Spanish priests of a particular Catholic order.
These priests came to California to convert Native Americans to Christianity. The missions included quarters for new converts, which the priests called neophytes.
The neophytes were expected to live and work at the mission while the priests schooled them in their new religion and taught them about European ways and values. Between 1769 and 1834, 21 missions were built in California.
Artist Ferdinand Deppe painted a picture of San Gabriel Mission in 1832. The Spanish mission architecture is very different from the small thatched Native American home at the right.
Non-Native Americans named some California tribes after the missions they were associated with. For instance, the Gabrielino’s name came from the San Gabriel Mission and the Luiseiio’s came from the San Luis Rey Mission.
Related Posts
-
When did the Spanish mission system in California end and Where did the Native Americans settle?
In 1821, Spain lost control of California to Mexico. Thirteen years later, the Mexican government outlawed Native American slavery and allowed the 15,000 Native Americans living in missions to leave. Many cheered when…
-
Why did Spanish missionary priests want Native Americans to become Christians?
The Spanish priests believed they were saving the Native Americans' souls by converting them to Catholicism. They did not think they were interfering with the Native Americans' religious life because they thought the…
-
How Were the Apollo Mission Space Suits For Lunar Landings Different From the Gemini Mission Space Suits?
Experience showed that overheating was a problem in the Gemini space suits. The Apollo space suits had a layer of fabric made of tubing through which cool liquid flowed. A layer of linen…
-
How Do Stars Move Across the Universe and Why Do Stars Move Across the Sky At Night?
Traditionally, people have thought of the stars as immovable and permanent, but they do move. We know the stars move because we know that the universe is expanding. But Earth is also moving…
-
What Are the Oldest Living Trees In California and How Old Are the Bristlecone Pine Trees In California?
California's redwood trees are not the oldest living things in the world, but they are the tallest. One redwood tree in Redwood National Park is 368 feet (112 m) tall. One of the…
-
What were California Indians’ baskets used for and What was so special about the California Indians’ baskets?
Because they relied on wild plants for so much of their diet, California Indians had to know how to make light, strong, and durable baskets. When gathering nuts, berries, and roots, women carried…
