The people at San Bautista Mission endured a variety of hardships, including:
- Forced labor: The Spanish forced the Native American people to work long hours in the fields, often without pay. This work was often dangerous and could lead to injury or death.
- Disease: The Native American people were not immune to European diseases, such as smallpox and measles. These diseases spread rapidly through the mission population and killed thousands of people.
- Starvation: The Spanish did not always provide enough food for the Native American people, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. This was especially true during the winter months when food was scarce.
- Violence: The Spanish soldiers often used violence to control the Native American people. They would beat, torture, and even kill those who resisted their rule.
- Loss of culture: The Spanish forced the Native American people to abandon their traditional ways of life and adopt Spanish customs and beliefs. This loss of culture led to a sense of identity loss and despair.
- Displacement: The Spanish moved the Native American people from their traditional lands to the missions, disrupting their way of life and depriving them of access to their traditional resources.
- Family Separation: Families were often separated when the Spanish captured Native Americans for missions. This practice meant that children were taken from their parents and spouses from each other.
- Spiritual oppression: The Spanish missionaries sought to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, often suppressing their traditional religious practices and beliefs.
These hardships caused great suffering and loss among the Native American people at San Bautista Mission.