In chapter five, Menchaca examined the Spanish Empire's expansion into California and identified native Californian tribes, who became incorporated into Spanish society through the mission system. The journey to Alta California was not a simple and easy as the Spanish first thought. Many Spaniards died from illness, encountered hostile native tribes, and hunger as they were trying to colonize California. The Spanish wanted to control California to prevent other groups of people such as the British and Russians from acquiring California. After many struggles, The Spanish made their way into California and established the first missions in San Diego and Monterey. Over several years, the Spanish created and set up forts and had established a …show more content…
I learned about the Spanish settling California and the creation of the mission system. I find the Spanish mission system as being a problematic and confusing topic. I learned in my history class, how the priests of the missions would mistreat many native Indians. I cannot understand how it was possible for the priests to brutally whip and mistreat neophytes and not somehow know that they were doing something wrong. As a somewhat religious person, I believe that most clergy deeply believed in the good of their mission. And making sense of how one undertakes such terrible acts while still believing in their soul that they are doing good astonishes me. Adding to the chaos and confusion of the Mission moment were the acts of the soldiers who, with no claim of doing well, were even harsher and more abusive than the priests. Menchaca stated that the Spanish soldiers were very problematic and abused many native tribes. Many Spanish soldiers would kill native men and would rape native women. This was the harsh reality, many Native tribes of California faced. They encountered forced assimilation and oppression. This topic made me really think about how not too many people know the true history of the missions and of all the abuse and torture that occurred. The mission system was very problematic and confusing to me because of its complicated history. Menchaca was able to bring to life the Spanish settlement of California, but she was also able to bring to light the harsh reality many native tribes encountered with the mission