The Spanish built adobe walls and watchtowers to protect their missions.
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The Spanish built adobe walls and watchtowers to protect their missions. Adobe is a mixture of mud, straw, and sometimes animal dung that dries hard in the sun. This was a practical building material for the Spanish to use in the arid region of the American Southwest where their missions were built.
According to San Diego State University, the Spanish used adobe because it was an excellent insulator, keeping the mission cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The walls were usually between two and three feet thick and the watchtowers were strategically placed to allow for a clear view of the surrounding land.
It was important for the Spanish to protect their missions from attack by the Native American tribes in the region, who often resented Spanish attempts to convert them to Christianity and control their resources. The watchtowers allowed the Spanish to see approaching danger and sound the alarm, giving the inhabitants of the mission time to prepare for battle.
In the words of renowned architect and writer, Alain de Botton, “Architecture is a way of interpreting the world and making sense of it, shaping it in some way…” The Spanish used architecture as a way of shaping and controlling their environment, protecting their missions from potential threats while also creating a sense of order and stability in a new and unknown land.
Interesting facts about Spanish mission architecture:
- The largest adobe structure in the United States is the San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson, Arizona.
- The Spanish often used brightly painted tiles to decorate their missions, creating a distinctive and recognizable style.
- Many Spanish missions were built near water sources, such as rivers or springs, in order to ensure a steady supply of water for the inhabitants.
- The Spanish also built aqueducts and irrigation channels to manage water resources and cultivate crops.
- Today, many Spanish missions still stand and have been preserved as historic sites and tourist attractions.
Here is a table summarizing the information:
| Building Material | Adobe |
|---|---|
| Thickness of Walls | Between 2 and 3 feet |
| Purpose of Watchtowers | To allow for a clear view of the surrounding land to spot approaching danger |
| Architecture | Used as a way of shaping and controlling the environment |
| Interesting fact | The largest adobe structure in the US is the San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson, Arizona |
Video answer
The Spanish Inquisition, authorized by Pope Sixtus IV in 1478 and lasting over 350 years, targeted religious minorities, including Jews, Muslims, and converts to Christianity from other religions. Punishments were severe, sometimes resulting in burning at the stake. Although the exact number of fatalities is debated, the consequences of the Inquisition included torture, forced expulsion, and discrimination. The Inquisition also extended to colonial territories like Mexico, where fear and paranoia became a way of life for centuries as friends and family members reported each other for heresy. The Inquisition formally ended in 1834 after Spain became isolated from Enlightenment ideas of separation of church and state.
There are additional viewpoints
The Spanish established pueblos (towns) and presidios (forts) for protection. The natives lived in the missions until their religious training was complete. Then, they would move to homes outside of the missions.
Jesuits missionaries were the first ones, with some success; greater success than soldiers. Unfortunately, Spanish King Carlos III, following “fool” advises (guess which world elitist group did such thing), decided to expel all of the Jesuits from his territories. That was catastrophic for the Education in the Spanish domains. At that time, Jesuits were no “modernist” at all, and many then went to East Europe, rising education level there.
After the Jesuits, Franciscan monks took their place, not withstanding the sanctity, and Evangelic poverty of the order, they were not so good in education, and they had less success with Californian natives. However, Fray Junípero Serra was in the Saint Francis order.
I am aware that protestants do not accept that a deceased person be declared a Saint by the Catholic Church, but this answer is not about theology. Protestant should be aware that the canonization process was an enough rigorous, lengthy process at that time, so they should at least a…
More intriguing questions on the topic
What did the Spanish do to protect the missions?
Answer to this: Within a year, the Spanish had established six missions and a small fort, a pre- sidio they named Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas. The presidio, located on the Neches River, was built to protect the missions from attacks by the Native Americans or the French.
What did the Spanish build in order to protect the missions?
Response to this: The second institution was the presidio or fort. Such fortifications were located near one or more of the missions and existed to protect those associated with the mission effort from hostile Indians, and from possible attacks by Spain’s European rivals.
What did the Spanish build missions?
Throughout the colonial period, the missions Spain established would serve several objectives. The first would be to convert natives to Christianity. The second would be to pacify the areas for colonial purposes.
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What were military bases built to protect the Spanish missions?
The answer is: To protect these missions, presidios were established. A presidio is a military base. Soldiers in these bases were generally responsible for protecting several missions. Settlers homes were built near missions, so that they would be well protected.
Why did the Spanish establish missions?
In reply to that: The Spanish government and religious orders established missions to convert existing populations to Roman Catholicism. Missions were located adjacent to established native settlements that also provided labor for mission construction and maintenance.
How did the Spanish protect California?
Response will be: The Spanish thought the best way to protect California was to make the Native Americans, or California Indians, become loyal Spanish citizens. The Spanish would do this by making them convert to Roman Catholicism. The first mission was set up in 1769 by the Spanish soldier and explorer Gaspar de Portolá and the Spanish priest Junípero Serra.
Are Spanish colonial mission sites preserved?
In reply to that: Spanish Colonial mission sites represent some of the United States’ oldest standing architecture and continue to provide technical preservation challenges. Today, however, managers of mission sites are equipped with conservation practices focused on the authenticity of preservation process.
What is an example of a Spanish Mission?
As a response to this: The San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel, California, is an example of a Spanish mission. Spanish missions were religious communities in North America. They were set up by missionaries from Spain during the 1500s to the 1800s. Missionaries are people who try to spread their religion.
Why did the Spanish build missions?
In reply to that: The Spanish missionaries wanted to get Native Americans to practice Roman Catholicism (a branch of Christianity). The Spanish built missions throughout the southern parts of what is now the United States. The missions stretched from California to Florida and Georgia. The most well-known missions were those in California.
How did the Spanish protect California?
The Spanish thought the best way to protect California was to make the Native Americans, or California Indians, become loyal Spanish citizens. The Spanish would do this by making them convert to Roman Catholicism. The first mission was set up in 1769 by the Spanish soldier and explorer Gaspar de Portolá and the Spanish priest Junípero Serra.
What is an example of a Spanish Mission?
As an answer to this: The San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel, California, is an example of a Spanish mission. Spanish missions were religious communities in North America. They were set up by missionaries from Spain during the 1500s to the 1800s. Missionaries are people who try to spread their religion.
Why were Spanish arms important?
In most cases, Spanish arms were necessary for the mission program to succeed, especially in northern New Spain, today’s Greater Southwest and northern Mexico. Tierra de guerra (Land of War) were noted on Spanish maps as Apachería, Comanchería, Centro de Navajo, Tierra de los Yutas, and others.