What happened to the spanish missions under Mexican rule?

The Spanish missions in California underwent significant changes during the period of Mexican rule, which lasted from 1821, when Mexico gained its independence from Spain, until 1848, when the United States acquired California as a result of the Mexican-American War. Here's an overview of what happened to the Spanish missions under Mexican rule:

1. Secularization: One of the major changes that occurred during the Mexican period was the secularization of the missions. The Mexican government enacted secularization laws that aimed to transfer control of the missions and their vast landholdings from the Catholic Church to the Mexican government. This process began in 1833 and resulted in the closure and abandonment of many missions.

2. Loss of Land and Property: As a consequence of secularization, the missions lost a significant portion of their land and properties. The Mexican government often sold or granted the mission lands to private individuals, leading to the fragmentation of the mission estates. This loss of land had severe economic consequences for the missions, which relied on agriculture and livestock raising to sustain themselves.

3. Decline of Mission Populations: With the secularization of the missions and the loss of their lands, the mission populations declined rapidly. Many Native Americans who had lived and worked at the missions were displaced and left to fend for themselves, causing significant social and economic disruptions in the mission communities.

4. Changes in Religious Practices: Under Mexican rule, there was a shift away from the strict Catholic religious practices that had characterized the Spanish mission period. The Mexican government's secularization policies weakened the power of the Catholic Church, and there was greater religious freedom and tolerance for other faiths.

5. Preservation Efforts: Despite the challenging circumstances, some efforts were made to preserve the mission buildings and their historical significance. In 1834, the Mexican government established the Pious Fund of California to support the maintenance of the missions. However, these efforts were often insufficient to prevent the deterioration of the mission structures.

Overall, the Spanish missions experienced a period of decline and transformation under Mexican rule. Secularization, loss of lands, and reduced mission populations were significant challenges that affected the missions and the Native American communities associated with them. Nonetheless, some efforts were made to preserve the mission's cultural and historical heritage during this period.