The American Journey © 2012

Chapter 12: Manifest Destiny

Web Activity Lesson Plans

" California Spanish Missions”

Introduction
In this chapter students have read about the western movement of settlers in America in the mid-1800s. In California the Spanish founded the earliest settlements, a series of Catholic missions established to convert the Native Americans who already lived there. In this activity students will take a closer look at these missions and their original founder, Father Junipero Serra.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the California Missions Web site referenced in the activity. Here they will see a map of the chain of Spanish missions, and a link to each.The link provides a photo of each restored mission and historical background about the mission. After answering questions students will create a cause and effects chart, with the cause being the arrival of the Spanish in California.

Instructional Objectives

  1. The learner will be able to explain why the Spanish missions were established.
  2. The learner will be able to locate the chain of Spanish missions on a map.
  3. The learner will be able identify the impact of the Spanish on the settlement of California.

Student Web Activity Answers

  1. 1769, San Diego, Father Junipero Serra
  2. Missions were one day's travel apart to offer safe housing for travelers along El Camino Real.
  3. It was the first mission founded by Father Sera's successor, Father Fermin Francisco Lasuen.
  4. It was the last mission found; it was the only mission founded after Mexico achieved independence.
  5. The effects could include: Missions built; Christianity established; settlements developed; fruits and grains introduced.
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