California
California’s first Spanish exploration and settlement go back to 1542. However, Spain showed interest in the land only after rumors began that Russia planned to extend settlement into California. ... Only seven years later, in 1777 were the pueblos brought to California. ... Pueblos, civil communities, were established in California to sever as suppliers of agricultural products, model citizens to the indigenous population, and a reserve militia for the presidios and missions. ... A number of them were criminals banished to California. ... All three institutions, the missions, presidios and pueblos, had the common goal to establish Spain’s claim to the land in California and colonize it accordingly.