What can you predict would have happened if Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was not burned when the missionaries abandoned it?
If Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was not burned when the missionaries abandoned it, several possible outcomes can be predicted:
1. Continued Missionary Activities: The mission might have continued to operate as a place of worship and conversion for the indigenous tribes in the region. The missionaries would have likely made efforts to rebuild and attract more local converts to Christianity.
2. Spanish Influence and Expansion: The mission's existence would have ensured a stronger Spanish presence in the area, potentially allowing for further Spanish influence and expansion in East Texas. The Spanish might have established additional missions and settlements in the region, facilitating colonization.
3. Increased Conflict: The presence of a mission might have heightened tensions between the Spanish and the indigenous tribes. As more Spanish settlers arrived, conflicts over resources, land, and cultural differences might have escalated. These disputes could have led to warfare and resistance from the native tribes.
4. Cultural Integration and Exchange: A functioning mission might have facilitated cultural exchange between the Spanish missionaries and the local tribes, influencing the religious practices, language, and traditions of both groups. This cultural integration could have been a two-way process, with the indigenous population also influencing the missionaries.
5. Shifted Historical Demographics: The continued operation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas would have likely attracted more settlers and converted indigenous populations to Christianity. This influx of new settlers could have shifted the demographics of the region, leading to a different historical trajectory for East Texas.
It is important to note that these predictions are speculative, and the actual outcome would have depended on various factors such as the political climate, Native American resistance, disease, and external forces.