The Missions of California

Mission San José was founded in 1797 by a Spanish friar named Fray Fermín Francisco Lasuén. Like other missions, the purpose of San José was to convert local Indians, the Ohlone, to Christian and Spanish ways of living. Famously, in 1828, a local named Estanislao tried to lead a revolt against the mission. In 1829, he fought a battle with the Spanish troops, but was forced to give up the revolt and return the mission. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of San José and California’s mission system. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.