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The Spanish Missions is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on why the Spanish built missions and what they caused, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.His.14.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 18 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

The Spanish Missions

D2.His.14.3-5

NameDate

Read each text, then answer the questions.

1.Read the text, then answer the questions.

Missions Along the San Antonio River

An information text written for this worksheet. Spain claimed the land that is now Texas and sent priests and soldiers north from Mexico. In 1718 the Spanish founded the mission of San Antonio de Valero, later called the Alamo, beside the San Antonio River. By 1731 five missions stood along that river. Spain wanted the missions to turn Native people into Catholic subjects of the king, and to keep France out of Texas. Coahuiltecan people came to the missions, some for food and for protection from raids, some under pressure. Inside the missions they were made to farm, herd cattle and build, and many died of diseases the Spanish brought.

  1. 1. What would you need to look at to find out how many people died at the missions?
  2. 2. Why did Spain build missions in Texas?
  3. 3. What does the text not tell you about the Coahuiltecan people?
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

The California Missions

An information text written for this worksheet. In 1769 Spain began building missions in Alta California, starting at San Diego. Father Junípero Serra led the first missions. By 1823 there were 21, spread along the coast from San Diego to Sonoma. Spain wanted to hold the coast against Russia and Britain, and to make Native people Catholic farmers and workers. Native people baptized at a mission were not allowed to leave it freely. Soldiers brought back those who ran away. They worked in the fields, in the workshops and with the herds of cattle and sheep. Crowded living and new diseases killed many thousands, and the Native population of the coast fell sharply.

  1. 1. What does the text not tell you about the people who ran away?
  2. 2. Where was the first California mission built?
  3. 3. Why did Spain want missions along the California coast?

LessonPrint · D2.His.14.3-5 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — The Spanish Missions

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Mission records of deaths, because the text gives no numbers of people who died. 2. To turn Native people into Catholic subjects of the king and to keep France out of Texas. 3. It does not tell you what the Coahuiltecan people themselves said about the missions.
  2. 2.1. It does not tell you why each person ran away or what happened after soldiers brought them back. 2. At San Diego, in 1769. 3. To hold the coast against Russia and Britain and to make Native people Catholic farmers and workers.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.14.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.