Alaska: The Spanish were there too

From Mexico to Alaska passing through Canada: The unknown Spanish Settlements of America, which completed total control of the Pacific Coast. Their presence slowed Russia down the Pacific Coast and limited its subsequent presence in California.

The End of the World Frontier

The last exploratory and colonizing effort of Spain was to arrive and settle in the lands of Canada and Alaska. When it became known that Russian ships were prowling the area, preparations were accelerated. The Viceroys of Mexico ordered new expeditions, reaching Alaska and took possession of it.

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State of Alaska

The exploration of Alaska involved settling on the Pacific Coast of Canada as a preliminary step.
Overcoming the territories of Oregon to the current Canadian Columbia and the island named in the treaty with England as “Island of Quadra and Vancouver”

The enormous territories of the Alaska Coast, in the farthest reaches of the known world at that time, were also explored and mapped by the Spanish. A little known fact, which meant slowing down the advance of Russia.

Hispanic Population

Spain had some exploration bases in the area. But a colonization did not take place, due to the difficulties caused by England, until an agreement was reached. The growth of the Hispanic population has subsequently increased especially in recent years. Currently there are about 40,000 Hispanics and usually of Mexican origin.

Russians arrive in Alaska

Bering discovers and dies

The Danish Bering at the head of a Russian expedition reaches the American continent. In the difficulties of the trip the ship is destroyed and Bering dies. After building a new ship, the Russian survivors returned to Russia in 1742. They communicate the news of the discovery and the great commercial value of otter skins. The high value of these leathers considered the finest in the world. promotes new expeditions of merchants.

Although Queen Catherine the Great of Russia, since 1763, tried to protect the natives, sending Orthodox missionaries, there were massacres and slavery, until the missionaries were established 30 years later.

Before 1790, the expeditions were continuous and permanent colonies were established. They enslave the natives of the area, so that they hunt otters for them. In 1784 they settle on the Island of Kodiac. In 1795 they settle in Sitka, after taking revenge for an attack by the natives fed up with slavery, destroying their village.

Since 1800 the work of the missionaries in Sitka and Kodiac became visible, and relations with the Aleutian Indians improved. But already around 1860, Russia lost interest in Alaska. Overexploitation of otter hunting has left the species at a minimum. There is also more competition from Canadians and Americans.

Spain stops the Russian threat

When the Spaniards learned of Russia’s intentions to expand into America, the counterattack began. The King of Spain cannot tolerate that from Alaska the Russians, can advance towards California, by the West Coast of the Pacific. More than a dozen Spanish expeditions are sent to explore, map and take possession of Alaska. Spain controlled the territory and militarily occupied the strategic points, giving a clear message to the Russians who travel to the area to get the valuable otter skins. So that there would be no doubt, they came to carry out a military ceremony of possession, in front of the Russians.

The continuous presence of Spanish ships and the establishment of military forts limit the expansion of Russian traffickers. These use the Spanish settlements as resting and provisioning places for their ships.

Later he decides to leave Alaska, in the year 1795, to avoid a new war with England. For decades Spain has slowed Russian expansion into California. When Spain leaves Alaska, a new country has already been born, the United States of America. The Russians have not managed to establish roots in Alaska, and that will decide their decisions and their destiny in these lands.

Spanish History of Alaska

Spain decided to complete the exploration of the west coast of America. And he sent several expeditions from Mexico (Alta California) to Canada, the entrance to Alaska

The explorations of Spain that crossed the West Coast through the Pacific but also reached North America, Canada and even Alaska, where there are many Spanish place names on its coasts, are little known.

This work and presence of Spain in Alaska, has been reflected in almost 100 Spanish place names of places in the area.

Spain at the forefront
He set out to gain full control of the Pacific Coast.

Once again Spain set out to explore and control the last territory of the Pacific Ocean Coast in America. And began its exploration and the construction of Forts, supply and control.

When the English arrived in Alaska, Spain already had almost a hundred place names placed on places in the area, the fruits of its exploration.

The work of exploration of Spain, in flora, fauna and customs, has also been reflected in the scientific work of the Malaspina Exploration studies and in the place names of the main places in Alaska.

Explorations in Alaska (1774)

They left from the port of San Blas with support from Monterrey

Spain claimed sovereignty over Alaska having explored since 1774 reaching the 61st Parallel. To reaffirm her sovereignty over the area, she prepared several bases.

That is why he built El Fuerte San Miguel. which became a place of refuge and supply for ships from all authorized countries. In the place the ships that sailed through those waters were provisioned and rested.

Spain took possession of the area, including places in Alaska in the center of the coast such as: Córdova, Malaspina, Valdez, etc.

England did not admit it, but Spanish navigators were the first to navigate, explore and map the area to Alaska

Visited in 1774 by Juan Pérez, it traded with the Indians and called the place Surgidero de San Lorenzo. In 1775, Bodega y Quadra arrived in Sitka (Alaska). Ignacio de Arteaga in 1779 explored and called Puerto Bucareli (Spanish Viceroy) a bay.

Places called with Spanish names such as Córdova, Revillagegido, Cape Alava, Nuñez Gaona, Bahía Esperanza, etc. attest to this and were left for later, although many of them were later translated into English.

In 1787, López de Haro visited Unalaska to monitor Russian activities in the area.

On the island of Nootka,

Fort San Miguel, in Nutka controlled the entrance to Alaska

Spain controlled entry to Alaska from Canada. This base was very useful for his ships and helped him in his subsequent reconnaissance of the area.

It was decades of Spanish expeditions. Some were to explore and map the area. One was scientific, when the Malaespina expeditions made a stopover in the area and spent time in Alaska, studying the geology, fauna and flora of the territories. Others were expeditions to monitor the activities of the Russians. Exploration expeditions to Canada and Alaska set out from the Port of San Blas in Mexico.

Fort Nutka

(1789-1795) (Nootka)

On the island of Nootka today Columbia (Canada), Spain built Fort San Miguel. Its mission was to prevent settlements in the area of ​​other countries. It was the entrance to Alaska, since from there the Spanish expeditions were completed until reaching Unalaska.

Later in agreement with the English Captain Vancouver it was denominated “Island of Quadra and Vancouver”, but England did not respect it, and shortened the name, happening to the maps like Island of Vancouver.

Curious is the fact that when the English naval officer Vancouver arrived on the island, Spain had already explored and mapped most of the coast of the area as far as Alaska.

Spanish frigates in Alaska, Sutil and Mexicana

The Fort is built (1789)

Directed by Esteban Martínez

He arrives in the area with precise orders from the Viceroy of Mexico. He had to maintain good relations with the natives of these territories and defend the sovereignty of Spain, expelling the intruders.

Faced with the news that there could be Russian ships in the area, as seen in Unalaska and Kodiac, Esteban Martínez quickly built the Fort that he called Fort San Miguel. He also built the Baluarte San Rafael, on a nearby islet to defend the bay between them.

He installs the cannons in front of the bay and the sea, creating the first Spanish defense of the area. Between the cannon shots from the Fort and the Bulwark it could surprise and sink any intruding ship.

Defense of Spanish sovereignty

Capture of 4 English ships

Martínez came with orders to enforce the Spanish sovereignty of the area. For this reason, he seizes 4 English ships that did not follow his instructions and another English ship that came to occupy the island and carry out a settlement. This fact, together with the Spanish takeover of the area, was about to cause a war against England, which was not resigned again to second place.

After the death of the King of Spain Carlos III, the fort is temporarily abandoned. But it was soon reoccupied when the new King Carlos IV was crowned.

Trading post in Alaska

Expedition of 3 ships and new fort (1790)

Fort Santa Cruz de Nootka is created

The new fort was well organized, to live in and defend the area. It had enough weapons, 20 cannons. Prepared to be self-sufficient as much as possible. It had almost a dozen buildings, orchards and corrals.

Salvador Hidalgo went to Alaska, explored the area and took possession of Orca Inlet near Puerto Córdova. He then headed to the Kenai Peninsula and did the same.

A successful settlement

The fort had everything it needed to survive for a long time. Built in the style of the forts of New Spain, they were almost colonists since they had to maintain crops to maintain themselves and survive in lands with extreme climates in this case of low temperatures.

Shelter for boats of all nationalities

Not only were ships from California and Mexico visiting the base. Ships came from other countries, the United States, Russia, France, England, visiting the area, to trade. There they bought provisions and rested.

It was visited by the Spanish Scientific Expedition of Malaspina in the year 1791. They were in the place for a time and carried out scientific studies of the main characteristics, fauna, flora, geology of the territories.

English and James Cook’s surprise

Late visit an already explored Alaska

He found silver spoons from the Spanish Juan Pérez, stolen by the natives several years before during his visit to the area.

The explorer James Cook visited the area in 1778 and came ashore. There he was met with an unexpected surprise. The Indians showed him Spanish silver spoons. The Spanish had also arrived first to the lands of Alaska.

When James Cook arrived on the island 4 years later, that a Spanish expedition. He was surprised to find Spanish silver teaspoons among the natives. He did not know that in this place in 1774, the indigenous people stole some objects from the Spanish, including some silver spoons from Juan Pérez.

Spain presented to England this evidence which appeared in Cook’s English newspapers and in the Spanish ones described by Father Crespi. England never wanted to admit that Spain came before. Just as she never recognized the use of Spanish maps in her travels through the Pacific Ocean.

The so-called and mythologized English explorer practically made a tour of places previously visited by the Spanish and thanks to the fact that he had the Spanish maps that the English stole in the temporary occupation of Manila in the Philippine Islands, Spanish for more 400 years.

Quadra Island and Vancouver

In 1792 Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra, was sent to the island to negotiate the abandonment agreements with the English Captain Vancouver. They maintained very good relations, but Bodega and Quadra refused to leave the island against the orders of their superiors, since the presence in the area preceded the Spanish to the English.

Years later, the English Captain Vancouver wanted to fix it by calling Nootka Island “Quadra Island and Vancouver”. Their idea of ​​him in practice they wanted to forget and later they cut the name. It is currently known only as Vancouver Island. One of many English attributions in history.

England Ultimatum

Abandoned in 1795, by an agreement with England

The Ultimatum of England, which threatened a new war, if it continued to admit Spanish sovereignty over Alaska and Nootka

The evidence that Spain was in Alaska before England was so evident that although the British did not recognize that they had no historical, or factual rights, they changed their strategy.

forced to leave the fort. The threat was not in vain, in England recruits were made to prepare a military expedition to the area. The facilities are abandoned, and are left in the hands of the indigenous people of the area.

Spanish Monopoly in the Pacific

Trade between Asia and North America

The English used Portuguese flag ships to visit it

For many centuries the Spanish controlled the Pacific trade from America. To such an extent that the Philippine Islands and other Pacific islands depended on the Viceroyalty of New Spain (North American territories)

By not admitting Spain bases of any other country, considering the territories of its sovereignty, the English used other means. Taking advantage of the fact that Spain authorized some licenses to the Portuguese. England promotes trips on Portuguese-flagged ships, in which English crew members were introduced, in order to visit the area and trade with the indigenous people.

Many Spanish place names in Alaska

In 1774 the Spanish were the first Europeans

Although it is hardly known, it was Spanish explorers and sailors such as Perez, Martínez, Francisco Quadra, Caamaño etc, who put names, which still persist today.

Some examples are Alberto islands (Alberto islands), Alberto arrecife (Alberto Reef), Bahía de Quevedo, Ballena islands (Ballena islands), Ballena

Quadra Island and Vancouver abandoned by Spain
The explorations were not continued, nor the establishment of new colonies

Unfortunately the population of the peninsula was not enough. The Crown of Spain had more territory than it could hold. If it was difficult to maintain California, the idea of ​​installing bases in Alaska and Canada was scrapped. Because of the cost and the friction with England.

Spain renounced her sovereignty over Alaska and from that moment on, any country could install bases in the area.

Hispanic Names in Alaska

Almost 80 place names in Alaska

The Spanish, in addition to exploring and mapping the coasts, gave them their names in Spanish.

Many of these place names have been translated into English later, even so, some of the most important ones remain as the Spaniards called them. Most of the Alaskans are unaware of both its origin and the history of Spanish explorations. They find that their history does not add up, but they are unaware of the numerous Spanish expeditions and the Spanish history of Alaska.

Spanish before English

List of Spanish place names, now and its English version.

• 1-Topónimos – (Place Names)
• Islas y arrecife Alberto – (Alberto island)
• Bahía de Quevedo – (Alberto ReefQuevedo`s Bay)
• Ballena islas – (Whale islands)
• Ballena islas banco – (Ballena islands Shoal)
• Bahía de Torres – (Bay of Torres)
• Blanquizal islas – (Blanquizal islands)
• Blanquizal Punta – (Blanquizal Point)
• Bocas de Almirante – (Mouth of the Admiral)
• Bocas de Apodaca – (Moira and chy)
• Boca de Bodega – (Sound Mounth of Bodega)
• Caamaño Punta – (Caamaño Point)
• California Bahía – (California Bay)
• Canal de Nuestra Señora del Carmen – (Channel of Our Lady of the Carmen)
• Canal Ulloa – (Ulloa Channel)
• Cañas islas – (Reeds Islands)
• Canoa Punta – (Canoe Point)
• Cabo Chacón – (Cape Chacón)
• Cabo Flores – (Cape Flores)
• Cabo Suspiro – (Cape Suspiro)
• Cordova Bahía – (Cordova Bay)
• Coronados islas – (Coronados islands)
• Culebra islas – (Snake islands)
• Culebrina islas – (Culebrina islands)

• 2-Topónimos – (Place Names)
• El Capitan Peak – (El Capitan Peak)
• El Capitán Pasaje – (El Capitán Passage)
• EL Capitán Lake – (El Capitán Lago)
• El Capitán Isla – (El Capitán island)
• Ensenada de Torres – (Bay of Torres)
• Evia Punta – (Evia Point)
• Galea Lago – (Galea Lake)
• Galicia Islas – (Galician Islands)
• Hermanos Islas – (Hermanos Islands)
• Isla la Desgraciada – (Unlucky Island)
• Isla Gallegas – (Gallegas Isla)
• Isla Partida – (Parida Island)
• Isla de Paba – (Paba Island)
• Isla del Rosario – (Rosary Island)
• Isla de San Felipe – (Saint Felip Island)
• Isla Totii – (Toti Island)
• Isla del Viejo – (Old Man´s Island)
• Kendrick Bahía – (Kendrick Bay)
• Kendrick Isla – (Kendrick Island)
• Ladrones Islas – (Ladrones Islas)
• Laratita Isla – (Larzatita Island)
• Laratita Isla Arrecife – (Lazartita Island Reef)
• Madre de Dios Isla – (Madre de Dios Island)
• Mariposa Arrecife – (Mariposa Reef)
• México Punta – (Mexico Point)

• 3-Topónimos – (Place Names)
• Nuestra Señora de los Dolores – (Our Lady of Sorrows) –
• Núñez Punta – (Núñez Point)
• Núñez Rocas – (Núnez Rocks)
• Parida Isla – (Parida Island)
• Parida Isla Arrecife – (Parida Island Reef)
• Perlas Punta – (Perlas Point)
• Phillips Rocas – (Phillips Rocks)
• Punta Ildefonso – (Point Ildefonso)
• Punta Lomas – (Point Lomas)
• Punta Miraballes – Point Miraballes)
• Punta Providencia – (Point Providence)
• Puntat SanSebastian – (Point Saint Sebastian)
• Puerto Bagial – (Port Bagial)
• Puerto Caldera – (Port Caldera)
• Puerto Estrella – (Port Estrella)
• Puerto San Nicolás – (Port Saint Nicholas)
• Punta Delgada – (Delgada Point)
• Punta de Evia – (Evia Point)
• Punta de los Islotillos – (Point of the Islets)
• Punta San Cosme – (Point Saint Cosmas)

• 4-Topónimos – (Place Names)
• Punta de San Felipe – (Saint Phillip Point)
• Punta de San Yldefonso – (Ildefonso Point)
• Punta del Sosiego – (Tranquil Point)
• Quevedo Bahía – (Quevedo´s Bay)
• Ranchería Isla – (Ranchería Island)
• Río Beaver Valle Road – (Río Beaver Valley Road)
• Rosario Isla – (Rosary Island)
• San Nicolás Lago – (Saint NIcholas Lake)
• San Felipe Isla – (Saint Philip Island)
• Sal Creek – (Sal Creek)
• San Alberto Bahía – (San Alberto Bay)
• San Antonio Punta –  (San Antonio Point)
• San Cristoval Canal – (San Christoval Channel)
• San Cristoval Rocas – (San Christoval Rock)
• Sombrero Isla – (Sombrero Island)
• Toti Isla – (Toti Island)
• Tranquila Punta – (Tranquil Point)
• Trocadero Bahía – (Trocadero Bay)
• Ulloa Canal – (Ulloa Channel)
• Ulloa Isla – (Ulloa Island)

SitNews – Stories in the News – Ketchikan, Alaska

Spanish Explored Alaska in late 1700s

Left numerous place names including Malaspina and Caamano
By DAVE KIFFER

(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska – Nearly all Alaskans are aware that the first Europeans to come to the “Great Land” were the Russians in the 1740s. And most Alaskans also know that English explorers such as James Cook and George Vancouver began mapping large expanses of coastal Alaska in the 1770s.

So how is it that so many of the familiar place names in Alaska, particularly in Southern Southeast, are Spanish?

Ketchikan residents live on Revillagigedo Island. Their airport is on Gravina Island. The Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline ends in Valdez. Just down the coast is the community of Cordova. One of Alaska’s greatest glaciers is named Malaspina. West of Prince of Wales Island, there are numerous islands with Spanish names.

There are two reasons. First, there were a series of Spanish voyages to Alaska in the late 1700s, but even just as important, the early English explorers were not averse with either keeping the names the Spanish had originally given many landmarks and also adding to the Alaskan map the names of Spaniards they liked or respected.

Within a year of Columbus’ first voyage to the New World in 1492, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas in which they divided up the New World into “spheres of influence.” The line was roughly half way between the Portuguese Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa and the newly discovered Caribbean islands of Cuba and Hispanola.

East of the line was Portuguese “territory,” west belonged to Spain. Of course, countries like Russia, France, the Netherlands and England were not part of the treaty, but that mattered little to Spain and Portugal. Eventually Brazil would be a Portuguese colony and much of the rest of south and central America would belong – at least for the time being – to Spain.

Meanwhile, northern European countries like France, England and the Netherlands would begin to colonize North America. And Russia would begin to look east across the north Pacific to what would eventually be called Alaska.

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa first glimpsed the Pacific Ocean from the hills of Panama. Naturally, he immediately claimed all the land that bordered it for Spain.

Little was done on the Pacific side of North America for more than two centuries. Finally toward the middle of the 1700s, Spain at last began to colonize the coast. The small west coast – now Mexican – village of San Blas – about 100 miles north of Puerto Vallarta – became the center of Spanish efforts to move north.

First in 1768, Father Junipero Serra went north to begin establishing missions in what would eventually be California. The Spanish also established a navy base in San Blas that year. From that base, Spain vessels would be sent north by King Charles III several times beginning in the late mid 1770s.

Spain was concerned that its territorial claims were not being accepted as the Russians began to move down the Alaskan coast and ships from other countries began to explore the west coast of North America.

The first of these voyages was in 1774, when Juan Jose Perez Hernandez brought the frigate Santiago up the coast as far as the Queen Charlotte Islands and Dixon Entrance.

Alessandro Malaspina (November 5, 1754 – April 9, 1810) was an Italian nobleman who spent most of his life as a Spanish naval officer and explorer.

Alaskan historian Wallace Olson wrote in his 2002 book, “Through Spanish Eyes: Spanish Voyages to Alaska, 1774-1792” that Perez Hernandez’s goal was to travel as far north as 60 degrees latitude, which would have taken him north to near where Cordova now is, but that he became concerned about his ship’s ability to return back to San Blas because supplies were running dangerously low. In late July, they reached appoint not far from Forrester Island and the current Alaska/Canada border and then turned south.

During his return trip to San Blas, Perez Hernandez parleyed with Natives in Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, establishing a Spanish claim to the area that would be tested by England in the next two decades

Since Perez Hernandez had not accomplished the primarily goal of the mission, to explore the coast to 60 degrees north, the Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio Maria de Bucareli y Ursua, authorized another voyage north. Initially, he planned to reappoint Perez Hernandez, but according to Olson, additional Spanish officers had arrived in San Blas in the interim and they outranked Perez Hernandez. The new expedition would be led by Lt. Bruno de Hezeta.

Hezeta led a convoy of three ships – the Santiago, the Sonora and the San Carlos – left San Blas in March. Among the other officers involved in the voyage was Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra. Perez Hernandez was second in command on the Santiago.

In addition to surveying the coast for signs of Russian “encroachment,” the convoy was also instructed to go to 65 degrees north. In order to reach that point on the coast, the vessels would have had to go just north of Nome on the Bering Sea.

The three ships sailed together to central California where the crew of the San Carlos was the first to enter San Francisco Bay.

The other two ships continued the coast as far as Point Grenville in what is now Washington State. The crew of the Santiago was sick with scurvy and Hezeta chose to turn back for San Blas. On the way back home he would discover the mouth of the Columbia River.

But the Sonoro – under the command of Bodega y Quadra – continued north and eventually reached Alaska. By August 1, they were off the coast of Baranof Island not far from present day Sitka. The reached 58 degrees latitude and then entered Sitka Sound.

Inside the sound, they named a large, well formed volcano “San Francisco.” The mountain was later referred to as “San Jacinto.” In 1778, English Captain James Cook dubbed it “Mount Edgecumbe.”

Also faced with a crew suffering from scurvy, Bodega y Quadra chose to head south. On the way home, they explored an area west of Prince of Wales Island on August 24th and named it Bucarelli Bay, after the viceroy.

“The bay is so delightful for the mildness of the climate for the calmness of the sea, for the water in rills and reservoirs formed by Nature, and the good bottom and the fish that are in it that undoubtedly I would have stayed several more days had the season not been so advanced,” Bodega y Quadra wrote in his log, as quoted by Olson.

The Sonora continued on to San Blas.

In 1778, English Captain James Cook sailed the Alaskan coast and when the Spanish found out, they ordered another voyage north in hopes of catching him in Spanish “territory.”

Cook – on his third voyage to the Pacific – had already “discovered” the Hawaiian Islands before turning north to seek the western terminus of the fabled Northwest Passage. He reached North America on the Oregon Coast and – like the Spanish before him – traded with the Natives in Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island.

He then continued north, all the way to the Bering Strait, “discovering” Cook Inlet and mapping much of the Alaskan coast in the process. He did not – however – find the Northwest Passage.

Continuing back to Hawaii, he was eventually killed there in a skirmish with Natives.

When word of Cook’s voyage to find the Northwest Passage reached the Spaniards in 1778, they put together a third voyage to Alaska to reassert their claims and to try to catch Cook on Spanish territory.

The 1779 voyage was led by Ignacio de Arteaga and consisted of two small war ships or corvettes, the Favorita (commanded by Arteaga ) and the Princesa (commanded by Bodga y Quadra).

They failed to catch Cook and they also did not meet up with any Russians, but they did explore much of the coast all the way to Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula – where they performed a “possession ceremony” near modern day Port Chatham. Then – plagued by scurvy once again – they headed back to San Blas.

After the 1779 voyage, nearly a decade would pass before the Spanish returned to Alaska. The primary reason was the Spain was embroiled in the war that led to the United States independence and it was not focused on further exploration until treaties were signed in 1783-84 to end that war.

In March of 1788, Esteban Jose Martinez on the Princesa and Gonzales Lopez de Haro on the San Carlos headed north, reaching Montague Island in May. In June they reached Kodiak Island and made contact with the Russians at Three Saints Bay. In discussions with the Russians, they learned that Russia intended to eventually set up more settlements down the coast as far south as Nootka Sound. The Spanish continued west to Unalaska before returning to San Blas in December.

Concerned that the Russians planned to move down the coast, Spanish authorities immediately dispatched another mission north, once again led by Martinez and de Haro. By the summer of 1789, the Spanish were at work developing a settlement at Nootka Sound on West Vancouver Island. They also did some exploring in the area, finding and naming the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the process as well as Lopez Island and Haro Strait north of Puget Sound.

By 1790, the base was firmly established . And several voyages were made north. In 1790, Salvador Fidalgo took the San Carlos as far Kodiak Island. On the way, he asserted Spanish sovereignty at several locations, most notably Port Valdez and Cordova Bay and the Kenai Peninsula south of modern day Anchorage. Valdez and Cordova would henceforth retain their Spanish names. In general, the Russians ignored the Spanish incursion.

In 1789, the King of Spain sent Alessandro Malaspina on a round the world voyage of exploration with the warships Desubierta and Atrevida . As part of that voyage they were to explore the Northwest Coast in search of the fabled Northwest Passage.

They reached the Alaska Coast in 1791 and spent some time exploring between Yakutat and Prince William Sound. They did not find the Northwest Passage but artists and other scholars on the ships made a study of the Tlingits, one of the first to record social mores, language, economy, warfare methods and burial practices.

In the meantime, Spanish occupation of Nootka Sound was pushing England and Spain – already ill at ease because of the recent war – on a course toward another one. Fortunately for both countries, the men they chose to sort it out were Bodega y Quadra and Captain George Vancouver.

Alessandro Malaspina (November 5, 1754 – April 9, 1810) was an Italian nobleman who spent most of his life as a Spanish naval officer and explorer.

Federico Gravina
Capt. Vancouver named Gravina, after Frederico Gravina, a prominent Spanish naval officer of the time, during his explorations that lasted from 1791 to 1795.
Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Starting in 1790, the two men met and concluded three agreements that sorted through the territorial claims of Spain (going back to the Treaty of Tordesillas) and England (beginning with the voyages of Captain Cook). In some ways, both countries were operating from positions of weakness due to the recent war and neither was in a strong position to press all its claims.

As further agreements were signed it became clear that Spain’s interests lay further south on the continent and that England would have its hands full staking its claim to the Pacific Coast with both Russia and the fledgling United States looking to establish presences in the Pacific Northwest and Southeastern Alaska.

By the mid 1790s, Spain had withdrawn its settlement from Nootka Sound while Vancouver had undertaken several voyages to Alaska that had surveyed – and named – hundreds of miles of new territory. The English also agreed to not establish a permanent presence at Nootka Sound.

In 1792, there was one last Spanish voyage north of Puget Sound.

Don Jacinto Caamano in command of the Aranzazu sailed north to Bucarelli Bay. While much of the outer coast had been explored, he concentrated on some of the inner channels. He sailed Clarence Strait as far north as what is now called Point Caamano on the southern tip of the Cleveland Peninsula. He named Revillagigedo Channel and Boca de Quadra.

Caamano was also responsible for many of the Spanish place names west of Prince of Wales Island. According to former Ketchikan author Lonnie Haughton, the names the Spanish bestowed in that area show the “trials and tribulations of exploration 200 years ago.”

“Puerto de los Dolores named for the word for ‘sorrows,’ Haughton wrote in the Alaska Fisherman’s Journal in April of 1987. “Cabo Amargura for the word for ‘bitterness,’ Punta de Castigo (Punishment Point), Isla Triste from the word for ‘sad.’”

Although the first mariner to chart Gravina Island was Caamano in 1792, he did not name it on his charts (which also concluded that what are now Gravina and Annette islands were a single island). It was Capt. Vancouver who named Gravina, after Frederico Gravina, a prominent Spanish naval officer of the time, during his explorations that lasted from 1791 to 1795.

Caamano, who named the point at the tip of the Cleveland Peninsula after himself because that was the point he turned around at, had named a large channel just north of the Canadian border for Don Juan Vicente de Guemes Pacheco de Pedilla y Horcasitas, also known as the Count of Revillagigedo and the Viceroy of New Spain. Pedilla y Horcasitas was a strong supporter of the voyages to Alaska to spread the Spanish influence up the coast, according to Dr. Arsenio Rey-Tejerina, a former University of Alaska-Anchorage professor who has written frequently about the Spanish exploration of Alaska.

“Because of his energy and intelligence, he won the admiration of all who knew him,” Tejerino wrote in 1987, in the Southeastern Log. “Mexican historians have judged him as one of the best of the viceroys (of New Spain).”

After exploring the large island between Gravina and the mainland, Vancouver also named it after Revillagedo.

Vancouver clearly respected the efforts of his Spanish counterparts to explore the Northwest Coast. For his good friend, Bodega y Quadra he originally named Vancouver Island, Vancouver’s and Quadra’s Island. He named several Alaskan landmarks after the Spaniards such as Point Alava after the Spanish Governor at Nootka.

Even some non-Spanish sounding locations actually had Spanish connections.

Point Higgins sounds like a good old fashioned English name. Vancouver actually named it after the President of Chili, Higgins de Vallenar, whose last name was also appended to the northern tip of Gravina Island.

Read more:

 Spanish Explorers in Alaska

La entrada Hispanic Guide Alaska: The Last Frontier, Spain vs. Russia and England se publicó primero en .

The 1st Catholic Church of New York gift from Spain

Thanks to the decisive contribution of Spain to the independence of the 13 colonies, the exception was made and a Catholic church was allowed to be built in New York. In 1786 his first mass was celebrated.

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Help from Spain

The Hispanic community in New York did not have a public place to celebrate Masses. That is why it was done in private homes. Help was requested from Spain for the construction of the first Catholic church in the city.

Church in New York

St Peter and the 1,000 Spanish silver coins

Financed by Carlos III of Spain, at the request of the Spanish delegation and the merchants who had to spend time in the city.

Gift from Spain

The First Catholic Church was built as a gift from the King of Spain

The Spanish Dollar coins allowed their construction to begin in 1785. In 1786 it was completed and inaugurated. King Carlos III sent the 1,000 silver coins necessary and within 2 years it was possible to celebrate mass there

Protestant opposition

The decisive contribution of Spain to its Independence allowed it

Had strong opposition from Protestants

The church was to be built in the center of the old city. A protest movement led to pleas for it to be built outside the center. In this way, instead of starting the works on Broad street, its current location began in Barclay.

The Bishopric of Mexico City collaborated with a portrait of Saint Peter. The Mexican artist Vallejo also collaborated.

The Ambassador of Spain

On the day of the Victory Parade, the Spanish Ambassador was next to and to the right of George Washington. Gardoqui at the independence victory parade

Spain’s relations with the recent United States of America could not be better. Spain had made a decisive contribution to the American victory.

Spain’s contribution to the new country was not only weapons, clothing, financing. Spain’s control of the Mississippi River was also decisive, which allowed the patriots to supply during the war. The defeats that Spain inflicted on the English in the Gulf of Mexico and the occupation of the Bahamas were decisive.

Spanish coins

Coins of Carlos III under the first stone

In 1785 the first stone was laid, in gratitude to its sponsor, Spanish coins of King Carlos III were placed under it. In 1800 the first Catholic school in New York was installed there

St Peter’s Church

At Barclays

It was rebuilt in 1836 in the Greek Revival style with Ionic columns. In it there is always a seat reserved for the Ambassador or the King of Spain.

There was no Catholic church in New York

Masses were held in private homes

Every new country, more merchants from New Spain came to the new-born country. The Ambassador of Spain himself could not hear mass, as there was no Catholic church. That is why it was improvised and celebrated in private homes.

Help was requested from the Spanish Crown to build a Catholic church. King Carlos III collaborated through Bernardo Gálvez by sending 1,000 silver coins, the Spanish Dollar strong currency of the time.

The decisive aid of Spain in the victory of the U.S

Spanish aid to the War of Independence of the 13 colonies was decisive
The outcome of the war was decided thanks to Spanish help. Shipments like the 25th cannon, 30,000 rifles, 13,000 grenades, 300,000 pounds of gunpowder, 30,000 uniforms.

The independent United States of America were grateful to Spain as their help was vital to the outcome in their favor of the war of independence against England. For this reason, despite having a majority of the population of Protestant religion, Spain could not be denied the construction of a Catholic church.

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First Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Where?

Who celebrated it? It is true that there was a first Thanksgiving Day, but the one that is told was not. The first was a Spanish meal with the Seloy Indians in 1565

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Fortress of San Marcos

The impregnable Castillo de San Marcos in San Agustín, in the state of Florida (U.S). It was the nightmare of the English who never managed to conquer it, as the cannon shells bounced off its walls.

The celebration took place in today’s United States territories, in an area that is already Spanish and in the Spanish language. This meal of fraternity with the indigenous tribe of the area, created the best environment for good relations with the indigenous people. Soon there were Spanish missions that spread northward, even as far as Virginia.

Americans celebrate and have propagated only part of history, the later arrival of the English colonists. It was really the Spaniards, arriving long before the shores of North America, who performed this ceremony. In English literature only that made by the English is discussed.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés with 800 Spanish settlers and the indigenous people of the area, got together in San Agustín (Florida) for a mass and a brotherhood meal.

St. Augustine in Florida, the oldest in the U.S

This Spanish population has maintained inhabitants continuously since its foundation. Although it was attacked several times, it was rebuilt and fortified. He created a fabulous Spanish military construction, which was never conquered by any army, to the despair of the invaders, who saw how their cannon shells bounced against their walls built with coquina.

The First Day, it was Hispanic

The Spanish celebrated it with the Native Americans, 50 years before the arrival of the English.

And it was in St. Augustine in Florida. The first European colony with a permanent population in the U.S.

Celebrated by Spanish settlers

Spaniards in Florida, today the territory of the United States, on September 8, 1565

The day is celebrated in the United States according to the arrival of the English, but it was not the first. In San Agustín, the Spanish settlers celebrated Thanksgiving Day, when they finished building the town with the help of the indigenous people of the territory. This first fellowship meal was celebrated after a mass.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés

This Spanish leader made an alliance with the indigenous people of the area and founded San Agustín in Florida. This would be the permanent European settlement of the United States.

There were several Spanish Thanksgiving Days

1st Celebration in Florida (1565)

It was held 56 years before the arrival of the English

More than 800 settlers celebrated mass and food with the Indians of the area, who participated in the party, with food and mass

The celebration was something special, a meal in which the Seloy Indians participated. The Indians made an invitation to their allies to participate in a Thanksgiving meal, to which they agreed.
It is probable that the indigenous people brought turkey, venison, corn and even turtle. This was the most festive meal of the natives of the area.

The Spanish would have a broth with pork meat, seasoned with garlic. The normal thing at the time was for them to accompany it with wine and bread, if they had them.

2nd-Celebration in Texas (1598)

It was held 23 years before the arrival of the English

On April 20, 1598, 23 years before the arrival of the ship with English settlers (Mayflower).

This ceremony was carried out by an expedition of about 600 Spanish settlers, led by the Adelantado Juan de Oñate, they held a meal to celebrate and thank them for having overcome the hardships they had to go through when crossing the Chihuahua desert in Mexico. The difficulties to find water in good condition, for so many people, almost left many victims. They held a mass attended by the natives, as well as the subsequent meal. They celebrated it in El Paso (Texas). This day, Texas Thanksgiving Day, is recognized by the State of Texas as one of the main events in its history.

English celebration 50 years later

The pilgrims who arrived from England also celebrated a day but it is not the first

The first day of Thanksgiving in the New World was celebrated in St. Augustine (Florida) in the year 1565. The English celebrated it in 1621 for having a good harvest that would allow them to endure another year. The tribe that fed them that first year were the Wampanoag

Lack of interest from Spain

Finding no precious metal mines in North America, he allowed England to settle there

The American celebrations are the English customs, which was the main European group that emigrated to North America. And the story that is disclosed is fundamentally the one that occurred after their arrival, and not all of it.

The citizens of the Spanish Empire of the time, Spain, Portugal (60 years), South Italy, Flanders, Sardinia, Sicily, etc., settled in the best places in the New World, due to the climate, the largest cities, the greatest wealth, etc.

The English, French and other Europeans had to emigrate to the cold places of North America and Canada. Places where hurricanes were frequent, more bellicose Indian tribes, fewer crops, etc. The French were expelled from their attempt to settle in South Carolina. Seeing the difficulties they had had in the area trying to colonize, they left the English thinking that they would fail at Jamestown, just as they had at Roanoke.

The victory of these Europeans in North America has made their history written and fundamentally English customs celebrated.

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Spanish explorers toured U.S

Once in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, the Spanish postponed the attempt to reach the riverbed, almost without water, due to the great danger. They named it after the type of red-colored soil.

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Discovered by the Spanish (1540)

It happened almost 300 years before the birth of the U.S as a country. And they did not see it as a great landscape of Nature. They saw it as a big problem to get through. They couldn’t even get water, since the river was at the end of huge cliffs. And they risked their lives trying to reach the riverbed.

Grand Canyon Discovery

A Spanish expedition in 1540, surprised to find themselves before such a cut on the ground, in an arid area. They explore it trying to reach the water of the riverbed

Vázquez Coronado Expedition

The Spanish expedition was looking for the supposedly rich cities of the Kingdom of Cíbola.

After the conquest of the Aztec Queen of Mexico, it was believed that another similar kingdom could exist in that area. The great expedition sent explorers in various directions. His main mission was to reach the mythical kingdom of Cíbola with its great riches. But in his search too, he was trying to discover possible mineral sites, especially gold and silver. He did not find the Gold he was looking for, but he did take a great tour and discovered the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in its section of Arizona. A huge natural obstacle

García López de Cárdenas

Discover the Colorado Canyon a group of the expedition

Its enormous size and the difficult access to the water of the riverbed, due to the dangers of the great cliffs, made its exploration difficult, so it was little explored.

From Quivira, one of the towns of the Zuñi Indians, Francisco Vázquez Coronado sent an exploration expedition to a river.

This Spaniard was the first European to contemplate the impressive spectacle of the Colorado Canyon. He explored and surveyed the Moran Point area.

Curiously, they could not reach the water, since they did not find access due to the difficulties of the terrain. When they saw that they ran out of supplies and the water they carried, they had to leave without reaching the water of the river, since he was at the end of the ravine.

They navigate its mouth

An attempt is made to bring supplies to Coronado and to do so, navigate through the mouth of the Colorado River

Coronado explores by land, Alarcón explores by sea

While Coronado is exploring inland, another Spaniard Hernando de Alarcón almost at the same time, tries to bring them supplies, reaches the mouth of the Colorado River. He took a boat trip exploring the area until he reached the final leg.

Alarcón was unable to locate Coronado’s expedition. But just as they used to do to communicate, they left an explanatory letter. Another Coronado expedition located the tree with Alarcón’s letters explaining the search for it and the subsequent abandonment of it.

No European except the Spanish, was at the mouth of the Colorado River until 1820, the year in which the Englishman Hardy did.

Francisco de Ulloa (1539)

He discovered its mouth and named the area, Ancón de San Andrés

A year earlier, in another Spanish exploration of the Pacific, the mouth of the Colorado River had already been discovered, although it was never navigated.

Americans arrive in 1869

John Wesley explored the Grand Canyon

The first exploration of the new United States of America did not arrive there, until more than 80 years after its Independence. The new country in its need to generate great discoverers and explorers, rediscover what is already known, assigning one more pioneer. which was soon mythologized.

The Grand Canyon impressed and impresses

An impressive show of more than 450 km

With slopes that reach 2500 m, separation between banks of 30 km in some cases and gorges of up to 1500 m

The enormous dimensions of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado are impressive. However, the Spaniards short of water, it was a problem to see the water from above and not be able to access it due to the great slopes and precipices. Nor were they to contemplate these landscapes, with enormous distances, when their exhausting voyages of exploration were on foot or at most on horseback.

Located within a huge plateau, The Grand Canyon borders Las Vegas, Great Salt Lake, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, coming almost close to Denver.

Tour the states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. And it covers an area of ​​340,000 square km.

Although the Hispanics were the first to visit and name it, it would be Americans like John Wesley Powell, who would be known and would obtain fame.

And they would leave the Hispanic explorers as an anecdote, like most of US Hispanic history, would be hidden and soon forgotten.
The different layers of the terrain, configure some strata, which reaching the depths, indicate an antiquity of 1,700 million years. Therefore, it is not surprising that only 65 million years ago, dinosaurs walked among its huge rocks.

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Why aren’t there more missions in the U.S.?

The effort of Spain in the United States, the missions, was annihilated by the English colonists who, relying on the Creek Indians of Carolina, razed them. Although they were rebuilt several times, they always came back to destroy them.

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Hispanic Missions a destroyed work

Few remnants remain of the powerful Spanish missions in the territories of Georgia, Virginia, Alabama etc as they were destroyed by the English and Anglo-American settlers.

These missions could not be developed for a century as it happened in the rest of America, where even in size and architectural style, such as the Santiago de Jalpan Mission.

The missions of the Atlantic coast were destroyed by the English in 1704

Hunted for 200 years and their work finally destroyed. Many missions were built in North America. The first mission of the Atlantic Coast was already in the first decades of the year 1500.

Missions since 1526 in the U.S

They were created, but they remained for a short time

The first 4 missions that were created could not hold and were closed in less than 2 years. One of them was the mission of Santa Elena, Port Royal Sound Parris island, in South Carolina. However, in 200 years, Spain created more than 120 missions on the Atlantic Coast of the territories today of the United States of America.

Even the Spanish came to settle in Virginia. It was the Jesuits who installed a mission in 1570, but it failed as it was not protected by Spanish soldiers. The missionaries were killed, and the mission was abandoned.

Mission in Virginia, Chesapeake Bay

Missionaries Abandoned and Killed

The one called Bahía de Santa María by the Spaniards was explored in 1525. The Jesuits built a mission in what they called the lands of Ajacan. They refused to bring soldiers as usual and were abandoned in the jungle by their guide. Later they were assassinated by the natives led by Don Luis, a native educated by the Jesuits in Spain and Mexico.

Jesuits: 13 missions from the year 1566

Most failed and only 2 missions remained in 1587. The Spanish Jesuits pioneered Florida and created a dozen missions. The enormous difficulties caused the majority to fail.

More than 5th missions from 1588

The Franciscans and their missions

An epidemic and a Guale rebellion destroyed them. The epidemic cost more than 10,000 lives before 1616. The Georgia missions were abandoned.

New attempt to lift missions

They were rebuilt from 1617

A new epidemic kills thousands of indigenous people in 1650

Despite the fact that the missions were rebuilt and held strong for many years, a new epidemic swept through them.

More than 30 new missions from 1656

The reconstruction begins and soon more than 30 missions are raised. The missionaries’ work pays off, and a multitude of indigenous people learn trades and how to cultivate the land. More and more indigenous people set up their villages near them and participate in one way or another in the life of the missions.

But so many Indians grouped together are a temptation for the English settlers, who need slaves for their plantations. Soon slaveholders begin their attacks and are trapping indigenous people that they sell on the Carolina plantations.

The English attacks are repeating themselves. Raids of Indians armed by the English colonists of Carolina. These raids by English slavers, supported by armed Indians, ruined missionary activity from 1680 onwards. The captured Indians were taken as slaves to the plantations of the English colonists.

The final blow, razed and destroyed

English militia attack on Carolina

With the support of 1,000 Creek Indians. South Carolina militias attacked looking for slaves.

They destroy all the Spanish missions and take 4,000 indigenous women as slaves to the Carolina plantations

The attack of English troops from South Carolina led by Governor James Moore and supported by 1,000 indigenous Creeks stormed and destroyed the missions in 1704.

They destroy missions, kill or capture their inhabitants. Almost 10,000 indigenous people march to St. Augustine in Florida, to flee from the English militias and avoid being enslaved.

The missions totally shattered

Totally razed and all work lost. Its inhabitants had to leave the area to avoid being turned into slaves by the English and taken to their Carolina plantations. The great 200-year effort of the Spanish missionaries and its results were nullified by pressure from the English colonies and their search for slaves.

The sad fate of the indigenous people who attacked them

There are no indigenous people left on the East Coast

The example of how the Creek Indians were rewarded, who were decisive in attacking the Spanish missions by helping the militias of the English colonists, is a clear example of ethnic cleansing.

In the year 1827, these descendants of these Creek Indians who supported the English were forced by them, to leave the lands where they had lived for hundreds of years. Thousands of them died on the march to the interior of the country, in winter, and wrapped in blankets infected with smallpox, which were provided by the US Army.

“Many died when they were expelled from their territories and moved to new lands in Oklahoma”

Likewise, in 1830 the same thing happened to the Cherokee Indians, they were expelled from their lands to territories that were not yet in the United States. With virtually no American Indian remaining in Georgia or the Carolinas. A clear case of ethnic cleansing produced by the English settlers.

Practically, only indigenous people survive in the United States, in the areas that Spain controlled in North America. The case of the Genocide of the State of California, already happened with total impudence, paying 25 dollars per man, 20 per woman and 15 per dead indigenous child. A payment that the State of California paid to anyone who wore the hair of an indigenous person.

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What animals did the Spanish take to America?

They adapted to the climate and terrain. Some species have evolved in 500 years. Animals: Horses, mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats etc.

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They enriched the continent

The Spanish brought the breeds of animals that they believed would best adapt to the climate and characteristics of America. Still they had to adapt to the climate and terrain of the New World. Horses, mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats etc.

Spain contributed to the wealth of America, enriching the fauna and flora with a multitude of European and Asian species that were already common in Europe. The image of the typical Texan cowboy, comes from the Hispanic heritage in North America

From the horse, the cattle, the clothes, etc., were already used in the Hispanic territories of Texas and came from Mexico

The horse, a symbol

The horse and cattle came to the U.S. from New Spain. In almost 350 years, new species of their own were created, by natural selection and evolution

The cowboys of New Spain

They were also in other places. Some of them became famous, such as those of Texas whose territories are currently under the domain of the United States of North America (US).

The Spanish chose the best

They brought the species most likely to adapt to the New World. A great variety of animals unknown to America were brought by the Spanish. Horses, mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats etc.

Hispanic cowboys in the U.S.

The Cowboy or Cowboy Horse

The Conquest of America thanks to the horse

The decisive weapon in the struggles of the Spanish with the natives was the horse.

The Horse was the armored vehicle of the time. A group of the vigilantes of the border of New Spain, (Dragones de cuera) on horseback with their pikes and shields could sometimes overwhelm hundreds of attackers.

The donkey, thanks to its great resistance, was also adapted to transport loads and was considered a protected asset. In Spain the export of donkeys to other countries was punishable by death. The mule was also essential for the transport of goods due to its great strength.

The cattle of the South of Spain

They were the cows best adapted to the American climate. Brought from the South of Spain and adapted in the Canary Islands

Species from the Canary Islands and southern Spain were chosen because they lived in a similar climate or because their physical characteristics would help them survive from predator attacks.

The Spanish chose a species of cow, which was raised in the Guadalquivir marshes in southern Spain, for their long horns. These cows could defend themselves better when they were alone, against wild animals because of their antlers. They withstood the heat of southern Spain better, which made them ideal for the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition, they not only supplied meat, there was all their production of milk, butter, cheese, cottage cheese, which was highly esteemed. At that time owning a few animals was a great asset for any family.

Other animals from Europe

Farm animals

Chickens, pigs, ..

The chickens adapted very well to the climate. And they were highly prized for both their meat and their eggs. Their eggs were very popular. Even on the boats they used to carry chickens so that the feeding was more varied.

The pigs were a reserve of meat. America was a paradise for animals because of its large areas of grass. They used to be left loose in wide fields and fed on their own.

Wool sheep

Sheep, goats, goats …

Over time, sheep also evolved and became a highly valued species in the territory. The famous blankets (Navajo Blankets) are made with its wool.

In the new colonies created by the Spanish, they brought the necessary animals to help them in their work and to feed them. These most frequent animals were horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats. And those necessary to create farms such as chickens or pigs.

Dogs and cats

The Spanish brought war and companion animals

Among the animals brought by the Spanish were also companion animals such as dogs and cats. Soon the animals that were carried on the ships to provide meat, such as chickens or rabbits, were washed ashore and some of those that escaped reproduced quickly.

Trained dogs were also used as a weapon of war. Some of them caused terror among Native Americans because of their size and ferocity. But it should be noted that there were already some breeds of dogs in America, although other new breeds brought from Spain were introduced.

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Why did Spain make the first American Grammar?

In order to better evangelize, the Spanish learned the language of the Native Americans. A Jesuit wrote a grammar of the language to help other missionaries. This made it easier for his classmates to learn the language.

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“In the year 1568, the Guale Grammar and Dictionary was written in Georgia”

Spain respected Native American languages

The first missionaries were many Jesuits. An institution that was born in the Basque Country and is widely established. It is an area that has always been very sensitive to differences and languages

Many of the missionaries have their own language, different from the Spanish or Castilian language. United in an army of Navarrese, Galician, Valencian, Catalan, Majorcan missionaries etc.,

“The Spanish respected the indigenous languages ​​of America”

The Jesuits were among the most cultured and relatively open-minded priests on these issues. It was an order founded by Ignacio de Loyola from the Basque Country in the North of Spain. One of its most famous missionaries was Francisco Xavier, both speaking Basque. A multinational order that spread to many countries.

Spain helps to learn American languages

Spain and the languages ​​of each territory

Each Viceroyalty and an official native language

In order to better communicate with the indigenous people, he assigned an official language. Eg.

• In New Spain Nahuatl was named as the official language to communicate with the natives, and this already in the year 1570 according to a Royal Decree of the King of Spain Felipe II.
• In the Amazon Zone, the Guaraní was official,
• In Peru, Quechua was the official one.
  etc.

When Spain left America for the independence of the countries, fundamentally it was only spoken in the large populations. It was later when the Spanish language spread as a way to unify the native language Babel that was preserved and was used as the language of the schools.

The first Grammar is written

Father Báez decides to help the learning of a native North American language in the U.S and writes the first grammar. A surprising fact when compared with the behavior of the English in North America.

He wrote the first book published in the U.S.A

Domingo Báez, a Jesuit with determination. He wrote the first book published in the USA

Destined in Georgia (U.S.A) and seeing that the conversions of the natives were not progressing, he decides to learn the language from him. He writes the first Grammar of a North American language.

Mission in Georgia (Current U.S.)

The Jesuits install a mission

Whenever you think of the missions in America, you think of the territories of Central America or South America, but in the territories of the United States today there was a network of Spanish missions and forts.

With the idea of ​​evangelizing the territory, 12 Jesuit missionaries who set up a mission arrived in the area.

Situation of Georgia in the U.S.

Santa Catalina de Guale

Also called (St. Catherine Island). Currently Tybee island

Initially, the missionaries encouraged the Indians to attend masses and catechesis by promising them food. But when this was finished the assists almost disappeared. The great difficulty was not speaking the same language. That is why Father Domingo Báez decided to learn it.

He learned the Guale language

He wanted to be able to communicate with the indigenous people and he learned their language. He also made the first grammar and dictionary

With all that he learned, he not only communicated with the indigenous people, he also taught his companions the language. He translated the prayers and the Spanish catechism into the Guale language. He made verses so that the natives could learn the prayers earlier.

Dictionaries and grammars were made

By learning the language, they could evangelize the indigenous people more easily and with less rejection since they did it in their own language.
Grammars for Quechua and Nahuatl

Soon Spain in its eagerness to evangelize and starring missionaries published grammars of the most important languages. In the year 1560 the first grammar of the Quechua language was published. In the year 1571 the first grammar of the Nahuatl language was published

Spain respects the languages ​​of America

Catechisms, grammars and dictionaries

Alonso de Molina published in 1555 in Mexico “Vocabulary in Spanish and Mexican languages”.

“More than a dozen American Grammars were published before English Grammar in the year 1586”

A fact that is little known and that is surprising. The publications did not stop in the 25 universities that Spain created in its Viceroyalties of America.

In Peru Fray Domingo de Tomás published “Grammar or general art of the language of the Kingdoms of Peru” with Quechua-Spanish Dictionary and vice versa.

• 1612 “Vocabulary of the Aymara Language” is published.
• 1640 Madrid Antonio Ruiz de Montoya “Art and vocabulary of the Guaraní language”.
• 1699 in Madrid a Jesuit published “Vocabulary of the Moxos Indians” of Bolivia.
• 1702 “Art of the moxa language” was published, by Pedro Marban dictionary and catechism.

Books were even written in Native American languages.

Fray Bernardino de Sahagún mastered Nahuatl and wrote the book “General History of the Things of New Spain” in that language.

Spanish the First Grammar of Europe

In the year 1492, Nebrija’s “The Grammar of the Castilian Language” appears. It was born out of the need to unify and facilitate the Spanish language that has already spread throughout Europe. The territories controlled and occupied by Spain already included southern Italy, Sardinia, Sicily (Kingdom of Naples). In the following decades it spread through the Duchy of Milan, Franche-Comté, Flanders (Belgium and Holland), some small German states. Becoming the diplomatic and commercial language of the time. With the discovery of the New World it spread throughout America and the Philippines.

Later the other European grammars appear: France (1530), German (1573), Portugal (1536) etc.

“The last of the important ones was English Grammar in the year 1586”

Missionaries: Basques, Galicians, Valencians

The church preferred that they speak at least 2 languages

He preferably chose missionaries who, in addition to Spanish, spoke another language, his own. For being from any of the regions of Spain such as Galicia, the Basque Country, Valencia, Catalonia or the Balearic Islands.
This gave them an advantage in understanding the Indians, dealing with them, and learning their language. They were not considered wild

Curiosities of grammars

Spain was not only a military and economic power, since the Viceroyalties of her extended by all the continents. She was also a pioneering power in culture. For 300 years he did not stop exploring and analyzing what he found all over the world. And he also took good note of everything. Her universities published all kinds of theories to respond to the problems that were presented to her.

It is curious that although it is true that the First Grammar of a European Language was the Castilian Grammar of the year 1492, these American grammars were ahead of European Grammars. The German Grammar (1573) and let alone the English Grammar that did not arrive until the year 1586, almost 100 years after that of the Grammar of the Spanish Language.

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What was the first university in North America?

The Spanish culture and teaching was soon established, Mexico already had schools and universities 50 years before the first English settlers arrived in North America.

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The First Professional School in the U.S.

While the future country of North America helped by Spain, achieved the decisive victory of Yorktown against the English, the Spanish work continued on the other side of the continent. In the town of Tubac (Arizona), the first North American Professional School was created.

England and Spain differences

Until after the 18th century, Spain’s cultural supremacy was almost absolute. The Spanish Universities were centers of knowledge. In these universities and especially in the School of Salamanca, such modern theories were created that continue today, such as: Theories of International Law and Human Rights, The Modern Economy, The Measurement of Time, etc. Books by Salamanca authors were burned in Paris or London, because they attacked royal absolutism. In Economics, current concepts such as Interest, Fair Price, Inflation, Risk Premium, etc. were covered.

Spain did not have colonies like the English. Spain had Viceroyalties. The viceroyalties were governed by a Viceroy, a delegate of the King of Spain. Although they followed the laws of the King of Spain, they had their own administration, as if it were another province of Spain. For this reason, each Viceroyalty solved its own problems and needs. Universities were soon created all over America. Initially in front of them, were former students of the Spanish Universities.

Spain pioneer in Schools and Universities

The missionaries soon created schools as it was considered necessary to educate new converts to Christianity. The Dominican and Jesuit friars were usually the teachers and led them.

While Spain created more than 25 universities in America and the Philippines, very little, if not almost nothing, did England in her colonies throughout the world, at the university education level.

Since 1536 schools operate

America’s first Vocational school was built in present-day Arizona. But 200 years before, the schools run by the religious began to function, with great efficiency. An example of miscegenation. In them the indigenous elites were educated in faith and culture.

Teaching in New Spain since the beginning of colonization

First college in 1536

And the first University in 1551

Attempts to educate the indigenous people of the area led to the creation of colleges and universities from the early years. And the next phase was to create universities to continue high-level teaching.

Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco College (1536)

Next to the Franciscan convent

In the year 1536, the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco was founded.

College of San Nicolás (1540)

Patzcuaro

It was the first higher grade educational institution. The first colleges soon appeared in New Spain, run by religious. Its objective to evangelize and educate. Spain sent almost an army of missionaries to the new world.

University of Mexico (1551)

Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico

University in New Spain
With the objective of educating the newly converted to Christianity, this University is built. It was the continuation of the schools for indigenous and Spanish that began decades before.

Tubac Mission (Tucson)

Tubac population in Arizona

Vocational Training School (1781)
The missions carried out important cultural work. The first Vocational Training school was created in the mission of Tubac in Arizona, now a territory of the United States, in 1781.

This happened 2 years before the Independence of the 13 English colonies, when England recognized the United States of America.

The 13 English colonies and late education

The English arrive in 1607

Teaching in the 13 English colonies came 100 years later than in the Spanish areas. As the English settlers did not arrive until 1607, it was also later their first college and almost 200 years later their first university.

Harvard College (1636)

First College in the 13 Massachusetts Colonies

Originally called New College at New Towne, it later changed its name.

It was the first English language school in the 13 colonies.

In the year 1780 it became a University, calling itself Harvard University.
First University in the territory of the 13 English colonies

University of Pennsylvania (1740)

(Philadelphia)

It was the first University created in the 13 English colonies. English policy, like the Portuguese was minimal, preached the cultural dependence of the metropolis. London or Lisbon.

The Hispanic Culture, the first of the U.S

A surprising cultural superiority

Although it is usually unknown, the Hispanic territories had Colleges and Universities more than 100 years earlier than in the 13 English colonies. The Missions were pioneers in educating Native Americans

Under the motto of educating the indigenous converts, colleges and universities were created throughout the Spanish Empire. When the English created the 13 colonies, it had been many decades since New Spain had colleges and universities.

Even before the arrival of the English, in 1607 there were several universities created by the Spanish. in the American continent. In the year 1538 the first university was created, that of Santo Domingo on the Island of Hispaniola. And in the year 1551 the University of Mexico was created. And progressively up to 25 Universities throughout the American Continent.

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Spanish Theater in U.S. What was the first work?

The first play was a representation (theater) of Moors and Christians as they were done in Spain, in the style of those that are celebrated with great success in Alcoy. Theater and the Moors and Christians festivities brought to America

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Organized by Oñate (1558)

His soldiers acted as actors, some as Christians with a cross, on horseback and with spears, others as Moors with arquebuses.

Chimayo Sanctuary (New Mexico)

A celebration in Chimayo (New Mexico) that continues to be celebrated since 1558
Party with Representation of Moors and Christians

Theater in North America

Juan de Oñate organized the party and the first theater performance. And Captain Farfán was in charge of writing the play.

In New Mexico since the year 1558 on July 25 the festivities are celebrated. It began with a representation of Moors and Christians. After the festivities they were completed with bulls and comedies.

First play (1558)

Captain Farfán mounts the play and his own soldiers make his own actors

Using his comrades in arms as actors, he performs a representation of Moors and Christians. With the work you could see the power of the Spanish who came to non-believers. It was an exhibition of weapons and military power.

The performance was very successful and ended with the defeat of the Moorish side as usual. The natives became so fond of the representations that today they continue the tradition in some parts of America.

Moors and Christians

In the Valencian Community many parties of this style are celebrated. One of the most famous is in Alcoy. In the style of these festivities in Alcoy, the theater performance was performed

Popular parties with costumes that are authentic period costumes. They remind us of historical events that occurred in these lands. An adaptation of these festivals that carried a message of tradition and display of weapons.

First parties

The first festivals in imitation of those of Moros y Cristianos were held in Chimayo, 5 km from Santa Fe. They soon spread to other towns in the area, in which it became customary to perform the representation every year. Currently it is only celebrated in Chimayo, on June 25.

For the natives to see a performance with so many characters and so well armed was quite a spectacle. In this work the Spaniards took the opportunity to demonstrate their military skills and their powerful weapons.

The Moorish side was on foot and equipped with arquebuses. The Christian side on horseback with spears and shields. In the work you could see the power of firearms far superior to traditional ones. Weapons that only the Spanish possessed and knew how to handle, being well trained.

Comanches in theater

Another play, a variant, was the so-called theater performance of the Comanches. It was based on real events that occurred as early as the 18th century.

Comanches besieged the populations of New Mexico. With this they tried to seize everything they could even if they had a preference for horses. Skilled horsemen needed them for themselves and to sell to the French for weapons.

In the play, the Green Crow chief, who had a lot of prestige among his own and among other tribes, was one of the protagonists. In real history he had several victories but finally the Spanish sent the Cuera Dragons and they managed to corner him. Along with many of his people he died, and the Comanches along with the other tribes made peace.

Some parties that last

They have continued to be celebrated for more than 400 years. Theater and similar festivals exist in Peru and Guatemala

These first festivals took root and continue to be celebrated for more than 400 years in different countries of America. The theme of the first representation in North America is not surprising, since the Spanish reconquest was only a few decades away.

These festivals also had a didactic fund for the indigenous people of the area. In them they contemplated the enormous power of the Spanish troops that already caused the defeat and surrender of the Muslim infidels. It was easy for them to use the moral.

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Missouri and Hispanics: Road to the Pacific

As a result of this Spanish exploration, maps were made that would be used in the subsequent preparation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

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It was the first expedition and carried out in 1795

Most of the journey of Lewis and Clark’s trip to the Pacific, had the collaboration and Spanish maps

The U.S Expedition was based on Spanish maps. Much of the journey was done with the information provided by the Spanish expedition.

In search of the unknown tribe of the Mandan, suspected of Europeans among them

They explored the area

The information that was collected and the data were reflected in maps that were of great help to the later Lewis and Clark expedition based on the previous Spanish expeditions.

They took the experience and the maps made by the Spanish expeditions. The Spanish Manuel Lisa collaborated for 2 years in its previous preparation.

Spaniards before Lewis and Clark

The Spanish visited the Missouri area in 1795, 10 years before them

Until 1803, Louisiana was Spanish territory. As early as 1795, a Spanish expedition visited most of the Missouri River route, reaching North Dakota. This expedition drew maps of the Missouri that were later used by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

They made maps

The Hispanic expedition led by Evans drew such precise maps that the later Lewis and Clark expedition could only complete it with minor tributaries.

Explorations of the route to the Pacific

North American mythification of the Lewis and Clark expedition on its journey up the Missouri River. They are presented as the first in those lands.
Evans with Hispanics
Previously a Spanish expedition with Evans and Mackay traveled the Missouri.

The reason for the mission was to discover a tributary of the river that reached the Pacific Ocean.

At this time, Spain to avoid war with England has abandoned 2 of its Fortified Bases in the Pacific Ocean: San Lorenzo de Nutka in Canada and Núñez Gaona (Neah Bay) in the territory of now Washington State.

Mackay builds the Fall Outpost in the Platte River area of ​​Arkansas. Evans occupies the abandoned post of Jusseaume, takes it into possession for the Crown of Spain and renames it for Spain as Fort Mackay in North Dakota.

He was also sent to associate with the Pocas, Arikaras, and Sioux on the White River in South Dakota. There he takes possession of Truteau’s winter post, called by the Spanish Casa de Ponca in South Dakota.

A Spanish route to the Pacific

The Mandan Indians were visited, studying their life and customs

The Spanish expedition had the objective to find a route towards the Pacific crossing from Luisana and crossing the Missouri River. For his part, Evans was trying to find a Mandan tribe that supposedly spoke Welsh.

The Mandan were a tribe that lived between North and South Dakota with a language and customs somewhat different from those of their environment. Their boats were reminiscent of Welsh boats and their houses resembled European ones. Their skin color was lighter than that of their neighbors and they were suspected of European origin, by Welsh legends.

Evans began his expedition up the Missouri from Nebraska Fort San Carlos (Fort Charles) to the Mandan and Hidatsa villages in North Dakota. He failed to find clear evidence of his theory of white Welsh descendants in the area.

The Missouri River explored by Evans

Tour the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana
Evans Expedition Map
The Spanish expedition through Missouri

During the Spanish expedition of recognition of the Missouri more than 2000 km were covered. James Mackay with the collaboration of John Evans, a map of the area was made. This map was the basis for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and he would be of great help. At least 2/3 of the expedition route had already been previously visited by Spanish expeditions, years before.

Heading to the Pacific

Lewis and Clark expedition in search of the Pacific Ocean. Louisiana and the Missouri River were already explored by the Spanish

Expedition route

A river that was not explored by the Spanish until 1795. But with this exploration they laid the foundations and provided information about the Indian tribes. He created the maps that would allow the Lewis and Clark expedition to continue their exploration to the Pacific.

Manuel Lisa explorer and merchant

A born entrepreneur, this Spaniard had already been born in San Luis de Missouri. His knowledge of the area was fundamental

The purchase of La Luisiana from the US changed his life. When Louisiana passed into the hands of the United States, he found himself a US citizen. He began by negotiating between New Madrid and Orleans in Louisiana. He explored the Missouri and built the first fort in Montana (Fort Manuel) or Fort Raymond.

Restless, he tried to teach agriculture to the Sioux Indians. He continued to explore the region discovering Yellowstone. He also built “Fort Lisa” in North Dakota. In Nebraska he built a second “Fort Lisa” near Omaha, so he could trade.

Knowledgeable about the indigenous tribes of Kansas and Missouri, he succeeded in getting them to side with the Americans in the war with the English.

The purchase of the Louisiana territories by the U.S suddenly made him a US citizen. Restless, he tried to teach agriculture to the Sioux Indians. He got some of the Native American tribes in Kansas and Missouri to side with the Americans.

Manuel Lisa

Manuel Lisa Fort in North Dakota

He supported the Lewis and Clark expedition, and advised them during the two years of its preparation

Experienced man

Explorer and merchant of Spanish origin

Manuel Lisa was a Spanish merchant who participated for 2 years, in the advice and preparations of the Lewis and Clark expedition. For different reasons he refused to participate in the expedition. The merchant Lisa who knows the area and the Indian tribes. In one of his forts in Dakota the Lewis and Clark expedition rested.

The other American plans

From King of Spain to President

Inform and convince of the change to the new President of the United States

The expedition carried a more complicated mission than it seemed. After 300 years in which the Great White Father was the King of Spain, they had to convince the indigenous people that he would now be the President of the United States.

For this, in addition to gifts and flags, they took other accessories. The expedition wore specially minted medals to show that now the Great White Father was no longer the King of Spain. The gift to the Indian Chiefs of these medallions was made whenever possible.

They also had to prove that they were the most powerful. They carried the best weapons of the time, .45 caliber repeating rifles that could kill medium-sized animals with a single shot.

This expedition was more successful than the Pike, whose group was arrested as a spy by the Spanish. Pike reached the border area of ​​Kansas and Missouri. He made the Pawnee Indians remove a Spanish flag and put up the American one. After being detained by the Spanish, he was taken to Santa Fe where he was detained until he was repatriated.

The Great White Father

Specially minted coins, indicating that the new Great White Father was now the American President

Spain after Lewis and Clark
The exploration was going to cover explored territories and Spanish sovereignty. For this reason, on several occasions they are sought to stop them

The Spanish, upon learning in 1804 that the expedition was going to territories claimed by the Spanish Crown, sent Pedro Vial and 50 dragons. Although these reached Nebraska, the territory of the Pawnee Indians, they did not reach them.

There was a new Spanish attempt to take them prisoners in 1805. Pedro Vial left Santa Fe with about 100 soldiers but was attacked in Colorado by well-armed Indians and had to return.

Later, in 1806, the largest Spanish troops in this area, 600 soldiers, militiamen and even friendly Indians, were sent to arrest them.

Cuera Soldiers

Cuera dragon, Spanish soldier on horseback, guardian of the border

Spanish expedition of Cuera Dragons to look for and apprehend them
The Jefferson Plan (1804)
The new White Chief would no longer be the King of Spain

All those Indians who traded with the Spanish had to be treated well. They were to be informed that the Great White Father would be the United States. That is why they carried abundant US flags. They wanted the Kiowas, Caddos, Comanches, and Witchitas to trade with the Americans just as they had with the Spanish and French.

Jefferson gave Lewis and Clark the map that the Evans Spanish Expedition had made and the valuable comments on what they would find, later, according to what he had heard from the Indians of their explorations in the Pacific area.

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