Assignment 4a

The Colonial/Conquest Era lasted from 1482 to 1810. Out of all the periods of history in this region, it was the Colonial/Conquest period that molded Latin America the most into what it is today. Once the Spanish conquerers came to this region the population diminshed from 19 million to 2 million mainly as a result of the Spanish bringing European diseases that the natives had not previously been exposed to.

Junipero Serra was a Spanish missionary in North America & Majorca (island in Spain). His real name was Miguel Jose Serra, but Junipero was his religious name. After teaching at a college in Spain, Serra was called to the Americas in 1749. The conquers used the catholic church and the Spanish Mission movment to control the native people. The missionaries goal was to convert the non-Christians to Christianity.

St. Francis of Assisi was instrumental in shaping Serra's missions work. He had a message of "humble simplicity & caring for those in need". St. Francis spoke about chest beating, flaming torches on the skin, & whipping the back. Being able to endure the pain & shed blood demonstrated piety.

In 1769 Serra was sent on a secod expedition to San Diego where he founded the first mission there. Once the Monterey mission was founded in Carmel, Serra became the President of the Alta California Mission Chain. During his presidency several missions were founded, including; missions San Antonio de Padua (1771), San Gabriel Arcángel (1771), San Luis Obispo (1772), San Juan Capistrano (1776), San Francisco de Asís (1776), Santa Clara de Asís (1777), and San Buenaventura (1782).

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Serra-Ju.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXdGy1WtQ_4

The encyclopedia website is credible because it is a collaboration of works by many historians, scholars, intellects, etc. You tube on the other hand is not as credible because anyone can post videos.