TEXAS HISTORY

1. TEXAS HISTORY Spain Vs. France: Featuring The Chicken War

2. Spain Vs. France • While in East Texas, Spanish priests encountered the Caddoes, whom they called “Tejas.” • The priest took the Caddoes’ friendliness as an openness to become Catholic, so ten missions were started between 1690 and 1693.

3. Spain Vs. France • The Native Texans were not generally receptive to conversion, so in 1693, Spain abandoned their missions in Texas for the next 20 years. • During this time, the French established important trading posts in Biloxi, MS and Mobile, AL.

4. Spain Vs. France • Father Francisco Hidalgo was concerned that the Native Texans who had been baptized now had no priests or churches. • In 1713, he sent a letter to the French Governor of Louisiana asking him to send French Priests to Texas.

5. Spain Vs. France • The governor sent French explorer St. Denis. • St. Denis was arrested for trespassing into Spanish territory because Spanish authorities were unaware of Father Hidalgo’s request.

6. Spain Vs. France • Realizing the French might try to colonize East Texas, the Spanish established a series of new missions. • In 1719, war broke out between France and Spain.

7. Spain Vs. France • Lt. Philippe Blondel led an attacking group of seven French soldiers from Natchitoches to the Spanish Mission San Miguel de Lainares de los Adaes. • The small group of priests and one Spanish soldier were easily subdued. • The French soldiers decided to seize some livestock along with the captured men.

8. Spain Vs. France • Blondel had tied some chickens to his saddle. • When the chickens started flapping, the horse was startled, reared up and threw the commander to the ground.

9. Spain Vs. France • Because of this, one of the friars managed to escape to a nearby presidio. • He told the commander there that an “enormous” French force was invading.

10. Spain Vs. France • The Spanish decided to retreat from East Texas. • Without even trying, the French had driven out the Spanish. • The incident became known as The Chicken War and showed that Spanish presence in Texas was very weak.

11. Spain Vs. France • After being embarrassed by the French in the Chicken War, Spain resolved to take back East Texas. • The Spanish governor Aguayo decided to demonstrate his control of Texas.

12. Spain Vs. France • In 1721, abandoned missions were reopened. New missions and presidios were built. • By Spring 1721, Spain had ten missions and four presidios on the frontier. This re-established Spanish dominance in Texas.

13. Spain Vs. France • Aguayo understood that the colonies needed additional settlers to increase growth. • In 1731, 15 families from the Canary Islands were sent to Texas.

14. Spain Vs. France • The relationship between Spanish and French colonies became more peaceful. • The Spanish continued missionary work and colony building. • The French traded with Native Texan groups without attempting additional colonization.

15. Spain Vs. France • France was no longer a threat, so Spain wanted to establish even more missions and settlements in Texas. • Native American groups challenged Spanish claims to lands in the north and west. • Spain needed fewer, stronger colonies to protect its claim.

16. Spain Vs. France • In 1745, the Tonkawas residing near the San Gabriel River requested Spanish assistance to protect them from Comanche raids. • Within 5 years, the Spanish built three missions and a presidio.

17. Spain Vs. France • These new missions were failures. • They were almost totally destroyed by the Apaches. • By 1757, Spain had abandoned these settlements and relocated the missions elsewhere.

18. Spain Vs. France • Expansion in South Texas was more successful. • Between 1748-1755, fifteen missions were founded and 6000 people settled in 20 towns between the Rio Grande and Nueces River.

19. Spain Vs. France • To settle in the Northwest, the Spanish made peace with Native Texan groups in the region. • The Apaches agreed to live in the missions if they were given protection against the Comanches and the Wichitas.

20. Spain Vs. France • In 1758, a large group of Comanches launched a surprise attack the mission, killing 8 Spaniards and burning buildings. • A second attack prompted the Spanish to seek revenge. • The Spanish soldiers and their allies were eventually defeated and driven out by the Comanches.

21. Spain Vs. France • Between 1764-1767, King Carlos III sent the Marques de Rubi to inspect the northern frontier. • Rubi recommended moving all Texas colonies closer to San Antonio. • Rubi also advised forming alliances with the Comanches and Wichitas against the Apaches.

22. Spain Vs. France • King Carlos accepted all of these recommendations. • After these were carried out with much difficulty, a fragile peace on the Spanish frontier had been forged by 1780.