The document discusses the Christianization of Native Americans in California by Spanish missionaries between the 18th and early 19th centuries. It describes how missionaries tried to undermine traditional native religions and convert natives to Christianity, sometimes through imprisonment of those who refused conversion. It also mentions how military presidios helped control native laborers and suppress rebellions. Several Jesuit priests who worked as missionaries in California, such as Padre Ignacio Tirsch and Junipero Serra, are discussed. The increasing presence of foreign powers like England, France, and Russia in the region was a concern that contributed to the expansion of the Spanish missionary system in Alta California.

6. The Christianization of the Natives
(Izquierda) Indigenas Californios se dirigen a la misión para ser convertidos.
Ilustración del padre Ignacio Tirsch (Lám.XXX) siglo XVIII. Derecha foto
de Californio.

7. Indian Rancheria,
• (in Spanish America and the western U.S.) a small Indian settlement
Unknown
Ar)st

10. Missionaries’ Treatment of the Natives
• The missionaries’ unrelenting and heavy handed efforts to undermine
traditional religious beliefs alienated some natives and caused insurrections
by the natives.
• According to a British observer “If…any of the captured Indians show a
repugnance to conversion, it is the practice to imprison them for a few
days…and thus renounce the religion of their forefathers”

11. • Presidios also had the function of ensuring that native laborers were
kept in check and pacify them in in case of a rebellion.

12. Nicolas Tamaral died the 3rd of October 1734 at San Jose del Cabo.
Lithograph by Jesuit Miguel Venegas

13. Padre Ignacio Tirsch
• Jesuit priest who worked as a missionary in the Peninsula of California,
from 1762-1768.
• Some of the earliest European paintings about life in the peninsula are
from padre Ignacio Tirsch.

14. Padre Ignacio Tirsch, siglo XVIII

15. The Manila Galleon and the Santiago Mission, Baja California.
Padre Ignacio Tirsch, siglo XVIII

16. • English and French were becoming more a problem in the
Pacific in search of the Northwest Passage
1708-1722 George Shelvocke

17. Capt. George Shelvocke 1675-1742

18. Life in Baja California
1708-1722, George Shelvocke

19. 1708-1722 George Shelvocke

20. Junipero Serra (1713-1784)
Founder and First Padre President of the Franciscan Missions of California

21. • Between 1785-1803 the number of converts came to be over 50,000

22. • Alta California was settled because the enormous numbers of potential
converts estimates projected were 300,000 mostly in the costal region.
1822
Ludwig, Louis Choris 1795-1828

23. Russian explorations and settlements in Alaska were seen as a threat.
1802

24. Russian Ship Sets Anchor in the Bering Sea
Ludwig, Louis Choris 1795-1828

25. • Juan Bautista de Anza (1735-1788), entrusted to blaze the trail between Alta
California and Arizona. Why was this trail of importance?