California: A HistoryCalifornia: A History
By: Shane TremblayBy: Shane Tremblay
California: A History
By: Shane Tremblay
CH 1 – Queen Calafia’s IslandCH 1 – Queen Calafia’s Island
• The name “Californians” meant to describe a race of black amazons
Native Americans in California:• 25 Generations of Indians were living in California before
the arrival of Europeans• More than 300,000 Native Americans in 1492 (European
Arrival)• Native Americans offered linguistic and cultural diversity
and were not war-like in their relationships• Sweat lodges were their form of healing and
therapy• Many Indians were communal in property
Ch 1 Queen Calafia’s IslandCh 1 Queen Calafia’s Island
California’s Landscape• 1,264mi shoreline – Due to tectonic plates• Various Mountain Ranges: • 41 Mountains over 10,000 feet• Sierra Nevada: 400mi long 80mi wide• Mt Whitney: 14,496feet Highest mountain in
California• Numerous fault lines, most notably the San
Andreas Fault• Death Valley: lowest point in California 282ft
below sea level. Average Temp: 134 F
Ch1 Queen Calafia’s IslandCh1 Queen Calafia’s Island
California’s Biodiversity and Climate:• Coastal areas offer shellfish and other easily gatherable
foods• Interior of California: Bears found in various mountain
ranges and other wildlife that require hunting• Birdlife in California distinct due to the adaption to their
new environment• Redwoods in the North, most ancient living entities on
the planet• Weather: Generally sunny, Rarely below 40 degrees in
January, Rarely below 72 degrees
Ch 4 – Striking it RichCh 4 – Striking it Rich
California DevelopingCalifornia Developing• California is ceded to the United States California is ceded to the United States
through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgothrough the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo• Debate over slavery in CaliforniaDebate over slavery in California• Mid 1800s cities begin to developMid 1800s cities begin to develop• Mormons arrive 1846 and brought social Mormons arrive 1846 and brought social
solidarity as well as manual labor which solidarity as well as manual labor which was in high demand at the timewas in high demand at the time
• The first water powered saw-mill reveals The first water powered saw-mill reveals Gold in californiaGold in california
Ch 4 – Striking it RichCh 4 – Striking it Rich
California Gold Rush: Mass MigrationCalifornia Gold Rush: Mass Migration 1849 Gold Rush established California as a 1849 Gold Rush established California as a
state and “matured” it as a state entity (as state and “matured” it as a state entity (as California is admitted in 1849)California is admitted in 1849)
With the gold rush came an increase in the With the gold rush came an increase in the Native American population (up to Native American population (up to 255,000)255,000)
Huge migration from China, Australia, and Mexico Huge migration from China, Australia, and Mexico (getting to California at this time is still a (getting to California at this time is still a formidable obstacle)formidable obstacle)
$594 Million in ingots – Equivalent to $10 Billion in $594 Million in ingots – Equivalent to $10 Billion in 2001 dollars2001 dollars
Ch 4 – Striking it RichCh 4 – Striking it Rich
Consequences of MiningConsequences of Mining• California is seen as a dream, a way to California is seen as a dream, a way to
make it to a better life, however, one in make it to a better life, however, one in twelve miners lost their livestwelve miners lost their lives
• Violence becomes prevalent in minesViolence becomes prevalent in mines• Lynching also becomes an effective way to Lynching also becomes an effective way to
eliminate competitioneliminate competition• Annual rate of 506 deaths per 100,000Annual rate of 506 deaths per 100,000• Destruction of the natural environment and Destruction of the natural environment and
urbanization occursurbanization occurs
Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, and Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, and RevolutionRevolution
Regulation:Regulation: Major problem: Large influx of people, with no one to Major problem: Large influx of people, with no one to
administer landadminister land The State questions the validity of the old Spanish land The State questions the validity of the old Spanish land
treaties, as a result, many people lose their land to the treaties, as a result, many people lose their land to the governmentgovernment
Corporations and Railroads become increasingly Corporations and Railroads become increasingly unregulated in California leading to an increase in power unregulated in California leading to an increase in power among top leadersamong top leaders
1873 Stock Market collapses, resulting in mass lynching of 1873 Stock Market collapses, resulting in mass lynching of ChineseChinese
1875 Banking system collapses, 1875 Banking system collapses, Chinese become scapegoats for failed Chinese become scapegoats for failed expectations expectations
Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, and Revolutionand Revolution
Railroad:Railroad:• 1850s are characterized by the expansion of 1850s are characterized by the expansion of
the railroad systems in the United Statesthe railroad systems in the United States• Railroad labor consists of mostly outsourcing, Railroad labor consists of mostly outsourcing,
as Chinese are a major force in the Sierra as Chinese are a major force in the Sierra Railroad systemRailroad system
• May 10, 1869 Union Pacific/ Central Pacific May 10, 1869 Union Pacific/ Central Pacific railroad tracks meetrailroad tracks meet
• By the 1870s and 1880s Railroads By the 1870s and 1880s Railroads own most of the land in Californiaown most of the land in California and are increasingly controllingand are increasingly controlling
Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, and Ch 5 – Regulation, Railroad, and RevolutionRevolution
Revolution:Revolution: ““Businessmen’s Revolution” Between Businessmen’s Revolution” Between
1850 and 1854 the Capital is moved 1850 and 1854 the Capital is moved from San Francisco Bay to San Jose, from San Francisco Bay to San Jose, to Vallejo, and back to San Francisco to Vallejo, and back to San Francisco
Religion provided an immediate and Religion provided an immediate and compelling way for newcomers to compelling way for newcomers to organize and reorient themselvesorganize and reorient themselves
Gold Rush creates a cattle boomGold Rush creates a cattle boom