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California Missions Facts & Worksheets

In an endeavor to extend European territory and convert Native Americans to Catholicism, the California missions were founded in the late 18th century.

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In an endeavor to extend European territory and convert Native Americans to Catholicism, the California missions were founded in the late 18th century. There were a total of twenty-one missions from 1769 until roughly 1833. Although some claim that the systematic mistreatment of Native Americans amounted to slavery, the mission system introduced many novel cultural and theological concepts to California.

See the fact file below for more information on California Missions, or you can download our 31-page California Missions worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL TIMELINE

  • The twenty-one missions of Alta California, which run from San Diego to Sonoma, are legendary reminders of California and our country’s history. Few places in the world have a definite timeline of a country’s evolution that is so clear to see. 
  • Sea and land expeditions headed for California in 1769 on the monarch of Spain’s orders, meeting at San Diego, where the first fort and mission were built as boundary outposts. 
  • To settle the new country and convert its native inhabitants to Christianity, the King dispatched armed forces and Franciscan missionaries. 
  • Along the California coast, twenty-one missions and four forts known as presidios were established over a 54-year period. Some of these locations, including San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Jose, and San Francisco, later developed into major cities in the state.
  • Seven years before the American Declaration of Independence was ratified in 1776 and 25 years before gold was discovered in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill, the California missions were established. 
  • When the mission bells rang in Sonoma in 1823, mission growth came to a halt. 
  • In order to preserve California’s rich heritage, the California Missions Foundation was established in 1998 as the only organization devoted to repairing and safeguarding all twenty-one mission buildings and their contents.

JUNIPERO SERRA

  • Despite the fact that Spain claimed California as its property in 1542, it wasn’t until the late 1700s that the Spanish attempted to settle there.
  • Spain had a sizable presence in Mexico at the time of the first missions. 
  • The Spanish king issued an order in 1769 for both land and marine expeditions to leave Mexico for California. Additionally, he dispatched soldiers and Franciscan missionaries to the new territory.
  • The first mission was established in 1769 by the Franciscan priest Father Junipero Serra. Situated in modern-day San Diego, it was also known as Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

MISSION OBJECTIVE

  • The conversion of Native Americans to Christianity and citizenship in Spain was the primary objective of the California missions.
  • Spain employed missionary efforts to teach the Indians about its culture and religion.
  • To prevent competing nations like Russia and Great Britain from trying to seize the California region first was another reason for the expeditions.
  • Ranchos were vast land grants made to those who had been faithful to the Spanish Crown or subsequently to the newly independent government in Mexico. They were initially formed during Spanish rule and later maintained under the Mexican flag.
  • Ranchos were the preferred structure during the long-term attempt to colonize Alta California’s lands. 
  • While some ranchos were granted during the mission era, the majority of Alta California ranchos were granted following the missions’ secularization in 1834.
  • The Spanish term ‘rancho’ is where the English word ranch comes from.
  • These government-issued land-grant titles in Alta California represented unencumbered, long-term property rights to land.

THE TWENTY-ONE MISSIONS

  • Mission San Diego de Alcalá was the earliest of the California missions and is recognized for its gorgeous surroundings and spectacular architecture.
  • The Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, popularly known as the Carmel Mission, is famous for its gorgeous gardens and its history as the headquarters of Father Junipero Serra, who created many of California’s missions.
  • Mission San Antonio de Padua is well-known for its secluded position on the California coast as well as its gorgeous surroundings.
  • The Mission San Gabriel is recognized for its stunning design, notably its domed top and bell tower.
  • Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is well-known for its stunning grounds and central location in the Central Coast wine district.
  • Mission San Francisco de Assi, popularly known as Mission Dolores, is well-known for its history as California’s oldest intact mission and for its participation in the establishment of San Francisco.
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano is well-known for its gorgeous gardens and part in the establishment of Orange County.
  • The Mission Santa Clara de Assis is well-known for its stunning architecture and central position in Silicon Valley.
  • Mission San Buenaventura is well-known for its stunning design and significance in the formation of Ventura County.
  • Mission Santa Barbara is well-known for its beautiful design and position on the Santa Barbara coast.
  • Mission La Purisima Concepción is well-known for its gorgeous gardens and its significance in the preservation of California mission history and culture.
  • Mission Santa Cruz is well-known for its gorgeous position on Northern California’s coast, as well as its role in preserving the history and culture of the California missions.
  • Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is well-known for its magnificent gardens and importance in California mission history.
  • Mission San José is well-known for its beautiful architecture and significance in the history of San Antonio, Texas.
  • Mission San Juan Bautista is well-known for its stunning architecture and central location in the San Juan Valley.
  • Mission San Miguel Arcángel is well-known for its stunning architecture and central position on the Central Coast.
  • The Mission San Fernando Rey de España is well-known for its beautiful architecture and central location in the San Fernando Valley.
  • Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is well-known for its stunning design and involvement in California mission history.
  • Mission Santa Inés is well-known for its magnificent setting in the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as its role in the preservation of California mission history and culture.
  • Mission San Rafael Arcángel is well-known for its gorgeous setting on Northern California’s coast, as well as its role in the preservation of California mission history and culture.
  • Mission San Francisco Solano is well-known for its stunning architecture and central location in Sonoma Valley.

LIFE ON THE MISSIONS

  • The missions established new settlements where Native Americans might receive religious teaching and education. For safety, the Spanish built presidios (forts) and pueblos (towns).
  • Up to the completion of their religious education, the locals resided in the missions. They would then leave the missions and settle in houses.
  • Once the Indians had accepted Christianity, the missionaries would relocate, and the old missions would become churches.
  • The native converts were called neophytes and were required to work after being baptized. 
  • Traditionally, women did the cooking while men worked in the fields. Both went to church and studied Spanish.
  • In the mission community, farming was an especially significant occupation. Some of the crops that were farmed as staples included wheat, barley, and maize. Additionally, the Spanish missionaries brought apples, pears, and peaches from Europe.
  • There were other occupations in carpentry, construction, weaving, and leatherworking.
  • The mission was overseen by padres or religious authorities. Six troops were sent to guard them as well as the mission’s assets.

MISSION ARCHITECTURE

  • Architecture in California was significantly influenced by the mission era. There are still many homes, churches, and other structures around.
  • Native Americans constructed mission buildings entirely from natural materials such as stone, lumber, mud brick, adobe, and tile. 
  • Buildings often had sizable courtyards with high adobe walls. Missions were constructed around patios with gardens and fountains.
  • When referring to the distinctive style and craftsmanship of the buildings from this era, the term “mission style” is frequently used.

ENDING OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS

  • Mexico achieved its independence from Spain by 1821. The mission system has been the subject of discussion for a while.
  • Missions were secularized and abolished by a decree that the Mexican government issued in 1833. Mexico at the time included California.
  • The Mexican government received some of the mission buildings and land. Even though the bulk of the land was supposed to be given back to the locals, private owners ended up with most of it.
  • Later, during the Mexican War of 1846, missions served as bases for the American soldiers.
  • Many Americans traveled to California when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. California became a state in 1850.
  • In 1865, Abraham Lincoln gave the Catholic Church possession of a few missions in California.
  • Many of the missions now serve as tourist destinations with on-site museums.

INFLUENCE OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS

  • The Native Californians saw a huge influence as a result of the California missions, which ranged in size from San Diego to Sonoma.
  • The missionary era had an impact on the region’s culture, religion, architecture, art, language, and economics.
  • But the missions also had detrimental effects on California Indian traditions. The indigenous peoples were coerced by the Europeans to adapt their civilization to the Western world. Local traditions, cultures, and customs were lost as a result.
  • According to some detractors, the Spanish mission system drove Native Americans into prostitution and slavery, and compared the missions to “concentration camps.”
  • Additionally, the illnesses that the Spanish missionaries introduced killed countless thousands of aboriginal people.
  • About 300,000 Native Californians lived there before the California missions. Scholars estimate that by 1834, there were just 20,000 people left.

California Missions Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about California Missions across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about California Missions. In an endeavor to extend European territory and convert Native Americans to Catholicism, the California missions were founded in the late 18th century.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. California Missions Facts
  2. You Must Know The Answer
  3. Journey Through Time
  4. The Missing Letters
  5. Junipero Serra
  6. Mission San Gabriel Arcánghel
  7. That Mission is Known For …
  8. Impact of the Missions
  9. Lets Reenact
  10. The Lasting Legacy
  11. Mission Architecture

Frequently Asked Questions

What are California missions?

California missions refer to a series of religious and military outposts that were established by Spanish Franciscan missionaries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in present-day California, United States. These missions were built to convert the indigenous population to Christianity and to establish Spanish control over the region.

How many California missions were there?

There were a total of 21 California missions, spanning from San Diego in the south to Sonoma in the north. The first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcala, was established in 1769, while the last mission, Mission San Francisco Solano, was founded in 1823.

What was the purpose of California missions?

The main purpose of California missions was to convert the indigenous population to Christianity and to establish Spanish control over the region. The missionaries also aimed to teach the indigenous people about agriculture, livestock management, and other skills that would help them become self-sufficient.

What was life like in California missions?

Life in California missions was harsh for the indigenous people who were forced to live there. They were required to work for the missions, often for long hours, and were subjected to strict discipline and punishment if they disobeyed the rules. Many were also forced to abandon their traditional beliefs and practices, which led to the loss of their culture and identity.

What is the legacy of California missions?

The legacy of California missions is controversial, as while they played a significant role in the history of California, they also had a devastating impact on the indigenous population. Many indigenous people died due to disease and mistreatment, while others lost their culture and traditions. Today, the California missions are preserved as historical landmarks and attract visitors from around the world, but there are ongoing discussions and debates about their true legacy and the impact they had on indigenous peoples.

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