Missions were religious and military outposts established by Spain throughout its American territories. These settlements aimed to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity, establish Spanish control, and serve as centers for economic activities.
Related terms
Franciscans: Franciscans were a Catholic religious order that played a significant role in establishing missions across Spanish America.
Assimilation: Assimilation refers to the process of adopting or absorbing cultural practices and beliefs from one group into another. In the context of missions, assimilation involved converting indigenous populations to Christianity and introducing them to European customs.
Presidios: Presidios were military fortresses built alongside missions to protect them from attacks by indigenous peoples or rival colonial powers. They served as defense outposts for Spain's territorial control.