War and Expansion

1. War and Expansion

2. Tension Between France and Spain • France and Spain go to war in 1719 • In June 1719 the French attack a Spanish mission. • The two Spaniards at the mission quickly surrendered. • The French soldiers gathered up supplies and raided the mission henhouse. • The French soldiers tied the chickens to their saddles……mistake!

3. Squawking Chickens • As the French soldiers were leaving the mission the chickens began squawking loudly. • Their horse reared back and the French Lieutenant was tossed to the ground. • One Spaniard seeing his chance to escape, ran into the woods. • The fleeing Spaniard made it to a nearby mission.

4. Chicken War • He claimed that French soldiers were marching on East Texas. • This became known as the Chicken War. • Frightened Spaniards began to leave their missions. • They fled to San Antonio. • The viceroy demanded that they all return to their missions.

5. To Protect the Missions • To protect the missions Spanish officials sent out the Aguayo (Awayo) Expedition in 1720. • The expedition had over 500 soldiers and 4,000 horses. • The expedition’s purpose was to populate and protect East Texas from any future French attacks.

6. The Ending • The French and Spanish agreed to stay in their territories. • The Spanish in Texas and the French in Louisiana. • Aguayo (Awayo) built a presidio called Los Adaes and staffed it with 100 soldiers. • 8 years later Los Adaes became the capitol of Spanish Texas.