Final answer:
Fray Massenet constructed the first mission in East Texas on the ashes of Fort Saint Louis. Two significant events in Texan history include the defeat of Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto, and the creation of the short-lived Republic of Fredonia by the Long Expedition. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fray Massenet built the first mission in East Texas on the ashes of Fort Saint Louis. This establishment was part of a broader effort by Spanish Catholic missionaries to evangelize the native populations and assert Spanish claims over the region. Missions, such as the one Massenet constructed, were more than just churches; they were comprehensive communities aiming to reshape the lifestyle of the local inhabitants around the mission's church and agricultural practices.
The battle where Texans defeated the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was at San Jacinto. This victory led to the independence of Texas from Mexico. Additionally, the Long Expedition established a short-lived republic in Texas known as the Republic of Fredonia, an event reflecting the turbulent and complex history of the region.
Mission church architecture, such as that seen in San Gabriel, CA, served not only religious purposes but also as a cultural tool to attract and influence local Indigenous groups who were unfamiliar with such formal architectural traditions. This strategy was part of the broader Spanish colonial approach in the Americas.