By the early 1790s, then, northern New Spain had entered a new era. The Apaches who had kept vast expanses of the Spanish empire in chaos since mid-century appeared pacified. From Sonora to southern Texas, different Apache groups accepted subordinate positions under Spanish rule and settled in establecimientos de paz, peace establishments, where they were to live in towns near presidios and missions and learn the civilized arts of farming, ranching, and self-government under Spanish tutelage and control.
