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  1. History Lessons
  2. U.S. History
  3. Colonial Era
  4. California Missions
Topic: U.S. History
Time Period: Colonial Era
Category: Lesson Plan

California Missions

In this lesson, students practice sourcing to better understand Spanish treatment of Native Americans in Alta California under the mission system. 

Students first examine two 19th-century paintings and consider how the source and context influenced their depiction of life in the missions. Then, students read through an excerpt from a book written by an American novelist, a newspaper letter written by a Scottish-born citizen of Mexico, the account of a  French naval officer, and an excerpt from a interview with a Native American born at the San Luis Rey mission to further investigate Spanish treatment of Native Americans under the mission system. 

Painting of the San Francisco Presidio depicted by artist Louis Choris, ca. 1815. From the Calisphere Digital Library.

Image: Painting of the San Francisco Presidio depicted by artist Louis Choris, ca. 1815. From the Calisphere Digital Library.

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