After 1769, the life of the California natives [Native Americans] who came in contact with
the Spanish was reshaped by the mission fathers, not the townspeople of the pueblos or the
soldiers of the presidios. The Franciscans came to California not merely to convert the tribes
to Christianity but to train them for life in a European colonial society. Conversion was
seldom an entirely voluntary process, and converts (neophytes) were not left to return to their
old ways but were required to live in the walled mission enclosure or on rancherias, separate
settlements sponsored by missions although located some distance from the mission proper.
There they were taught Spanish as well as the tenets of their new religion and trained in skills
that would fit them for their new lives: brickmaking and construction, raising cattle and
horses, blacksmithing, weaving, tanning hides, etc.
-Library of Congress
Use the passage to answer the question.
5. Inferring from this text, why might the Spanish have felt it important to train the natives of
California for a "European colonial society"?
1 answer