Spanish legacy in the Borderlands

1762-1800 Spain possessed the Trans-Mississippi West.

1526-1821 Spain possesses Florida.

16th Century-Extensive Spanish exploration of North America.

Myths such as the Seven Cities of Cibola-Cities of Gold spurred exploration efforts.

1513 Ponce de Leon Florida

1538-1541 Hernan de Soto Explores what is now S.E. U.S.A.

1540 Coronado Explores what is now S.W. U.S.

1542 Cabrillo Explores Pacific Coast to Oregon

1559 Spanish settlement begins in Florida near present day Pensacola.

1565 St. Augustine, FA, settled.

Three types of Spanish settlements. Spain founded 21 missions, four presidios, and three pueblos in California. Today 72% of Californians in these original settlements.

Presidos Settlements based on defense needs.

Missions” Settlements established to convert Indians to Christianity and make them good little Spaniards. Jesuit missions in California.

Pueblos Civil settlements to supplement military settlements. Santa Fe, New Mexico. Formed the basis for many modern cities primarily in modern day Arizona and New Mexico.

Spanish concerns over southern settlements were the cause of the lose of northern lands that Spain had claimed and colonized during the 16th and 17th century. Spanish colonization placed heavy interest in converting Native Americans to Christianity and making them Spaniards.

1821 Mexico achieves independence.

1836(?) Texas annexed by U.S. after Texas Republic becomes independent from Mexico. Remember the Alamo. Davy Crockett, who was born on a mountaintop in Tennessee, along with other brave Texans falls at the Alamo.

1848 Mexican War. U.S. defeats Mexico. California and much of present day S.W. U.S

ceded to U.S.

1853 Gadsen Purchase. Mexico sells last parcel of southwest U.S. for construction of southern overland transcontinental railroad.

By Mid-19t h Century Spanish out of North America, but strong legacy remains