Missions of California

The Missions of California were a series of religious and agricultural settlements established by Spanish missionaries in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Their primary goal was to convert Native Americans to Christianity, teach them farming, and integrate them into Spanish colonial society. These missions also served to expand Spanish territorial claims in the region. Spread across California, they influenced local culture, economy, and landscape, leaving a lasting legacy seen today in historical sites and place names. The missions played a key role in shaping California’s history, though their impact on Native populations was complex and often disruptive.