Mexican California in the Gold Rush
Moe Bamdad
San José State University
October 29, 2014
During the last half of the 19th century, relations between the United States and Mexico were just beginning to come together after ending the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold along the American River, in Sutter’s Mill, California. Less than two weeks later on February 4, 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and would mark the end of the Mexican-American War. Under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the Republic of Mexico ceded to the United States more than one-third of its valuable land, including California. Californios, the people of
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In the 19th century “Manifest Destiny” views was mutual among the Anglo-settlers that establishing and owning California was their calling and meant to be. Unfortunately the outcome of losing lands owned by the Mexican government, was incorrectly managed and ignored. Mexican California was vulnerable and under pressure from distraction of threats from other directions and politically unsteady.
By 1849, Mexicans had already been outnumbered by the Anglo’s (sitters, speculators, miners) were cementing their hierarchy of races in California and which void any productive blending relationships after the war. Evidence found in Antonio Maria Osio's memoirs, thriving opportunities were dismissed by the Californios when Spanish government directed the Royals the essential funding’s needed to discover and establish Baja California, which was ultimately denied by Mexico, " ...but since that time [during the Spanish Monarchy] the Mexico Government had declared itself the stepfather of California, denying its protection, like to a bastard child..." In California, a region that had so recently been their own, the Mexicans found they were considered foreigners by the legions of Anglo-American miners from eastern America. Many boundaries were crossed as the Anglo-Americans felt entitled to California’s property and discounted land rights of the indigenous
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Job opportunities were limited for the Californios, especially during the gold rush period. But for the Mexicans with mining experience before the California gold rush, and were occasionally hired by wealthy Americans to mine gold for them. Aside from mining, the rancheros’ leading financial source was their cattle and sheep traded or sold as food and hides. With the sudden burst of gold prospectors and miners, the population in northern California was overwhelming for some Californios, and economically beneficial for other Californios and
Countries were becoming independent all throughout Latin America during the 1800s. The people of the United States expected great things of these freshly independent countries. Of these countries was Mexico, which achieved independence in 1821. Americans were excited when Mexico gained its Independence. They assumed great things were to become of the country. Mexico had an abundance of resources and even more land. Expectations became a harsh reality for Mexican California. The transition from colony to republic proved to be a difficult one. Although the era of independence can be described in so many words, it is important to acknowledge the unstable, vulnerable, exploitative aspects of Mexican California.
There is common history between Latin Americans and Anglo Americans, like the Arabs and Jews of the Middle East, cousins in constant conflict, often hearing but not understanding each other. In this chapter Gonzalez tells us about how both Latin American and Anglo-American cultures fabricated their colonial origin. The 1500’s through the early 1800s specially explains the foundation of what now makes up the US. Since early on in time Anglo colonist saw Mexicans as an obstacle to evolution. Unfortunately, because most did not know how to read or write they were easily fooled. Because of this so many were done wrong, at times had their lands taken away. Canelas family were some of the witnesses to the lynching’s which occurred as last as 1917. In 1859 Cortina; a Canelas ancestor, declared was against the Anglo settler minority. In 1929, an important year where we had the first organization intended to break down segregation. The name of that organization was League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The main goal was to get the Anglo society to accept Mexicans as equal citizens. They could do this by teaching the chief goal to master his
It is well known that industrialization in America started in the east. However, the gold rush was the reason why California industrialized much faster than the east. With the technological improvements, that the gold rush demands it helped California industrialize much faster. James Marshall first discovered gold on January 24 1848 on the south fork of the American river. A not so well know part of California history is that James Marshall was not the first person to discover gold in California. Francisco Lopez was the first documented gold rush in California. It is less know because right after Lopez had discovered gold the war between Mexico and US had begun. Moreover, like everyone knows Mexico lost and lost California and other territory to the US. After James Marshall had found gold and after everyone had started to hear the news, few people started rushing to the minefields. The gold rush fever had not started yet because many people were hesitant. It wasn’t until president, President Polk at that time, confirmed that there really was gold found in California after the announcement by Polk was heard. Massive amount of people from all over the world rushed to California. States were not the first to hear about the news. Actually, people in Hawaii were the first to find out. As trading ships were leaving the San Francisco port on their trips across the pacific. Was when the Hawaii found out about the news? When the states
With all these travelers from the east and different country made California a “melting pot” of different people and culture. When news that California that had gold began to spread outside of the United State it first hit Mexico and Hawaii lead to the first wave of immigrants with the purpose of mining. Then, news the quickly across the world from South America to Europe and from Australian to Asian, the impact was so big that the text said, “Irish immigration to the United States, already at 100,000 a year in 1847, more than double to 220,000 by 1851” (Gillon, 297). With all these people mining towns would quickly pop up across California, and these towns with every race you could think such as Black, French, Irish, Chinese, Mexican, and etc. The towns were constantly busy with people moving to and from mine and rivers. With a day or a week of work could make you a nice amount of profit, you could entertain yourself for a while before you had to go back to mining with bars, gambling parlors, and whore house. Prostitutes made good money because in text said that, “ One prostitute in California Boasted of making more than $50000in a year.” (Gillon, 297). I could imagine myself being there if I made it there.
After the gold rush, transportation improvements were being made, immigration was going up and so was mining. The 49’s were the first people to reach the mines, although this was not good news, the 49’rs did increase the immigration to California which led to Diversity also had an impact since people from all over the East were beginning to move West. The rising of mining began the idea of creating a bank system which became very successful. Today California's transportation, traveling, and banking industries continue to be successful. Agriculture has dominated California's territory since 1848 and is now the largest. Although immigrants have not lived in California their whole life, they have expanded their views and skills by being surrounded with multiple cultures. Spanish speaking individuals brought the language and religion in California. After California became an official state in the 1850s was when the immigration of Hispanics began to move
This essay presents a brief history of Californian Indigenous people. It also showcases a history behind the evolution of Federal Recognition and the Termination policy. In addition, it presents the history and explains what is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) is. It then examines the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria giving a brief history. It also discusses the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s termination due to the Termination policy and California Rancheria Act of the 1950s. It also discusses the importance of regaining federal recognition applied to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
California was unsettled until Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1824. After that, Mexico controlled California. Soon there started to be trading in California (Alchin). Lewis and Clark were in California before the Gold Rush happened, during their expedition. While in California, they discovered a new plant called the California Rhododendron (“Lewis and Clark”). American Indians were in California during this time as well. They were not treated well on any means during the 1800s. When the Gold Rush did happen, they participated in the mining. Then the whites started using them for labor in the mines after they saw how hard they could work (Alchin).
The assigned readings provided an interesting view of the diverse groups of people who migrated to California during the Gold Rush in the late 1840s and early 1850s and how they impacted society. The primary sources shared detailed information of how Californian society was grew and developed new rules and regulations for mining operations. The sources also discussed how American pioneers and people from different countries shared their experiences during the Gold Rush. Equally important, as Californian society increased, many Yankee miners became concerned about the arrival of foreigners in California (Textbook, 201). California state legislators enforced the Miners' Licensee of 1850 and 1852 that required foreigners to purchase specific mining licenses in order for them to mine (Miners' Document, 33).
It is well known that the industrialization in America start in the east. However, the gold rush was the reason why it industrialized much faster than the east. With the technological improvements that the gold rush demand it helped California industrialize much faster. Gold was first discovered in January 24 1848 by James Marshall on the south fork of the American river. A not so mentioned part of California history is that James Marshall wasn’t the first person to discover gold in California. Francisco Lopez was the first documented gold rush in California. No one talk or mentions it because right after Lopez had discovered gold the war between Mexico and US had begun. Moreover, like everyone knows Mexico lost and lost California and other territory to the US. After JamesMarshall had found gold and after everyone had started to hear the news, few people started rushing to the minefields. The gold rush fever had not started yet because many people were hesitant. It wasn’t after President Polk at that time, confirmed that there really was gold found in California after the announcement by Polk was heard. Massive amount of people from all over the world rushed to California. States were not the first to hear about the news. Actually, people in Hawaii were the first to find out. As trading ships where leaving the San Francisco port on their trips across the pacific. Was when the Hawaii found out about the news? When the states
“The Anglo-Saxon foot is already on [California’s] borders… armed with the plough and the rifle, and marking its trail with schools and colleges, courts and representative, mils and meeting houses...” (O’Sullivan 323) They were about to steal more land.“But now,... Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States,
California was structured off the population that was determined about sex and gender in the golden state. The gold rush population was mainly made up of young males, which gave them a hard time finding females who would engage in conversation, sex and marriage. Many times men would lean towards prostitution to have some companionship. Many of the prostitutes were women of color or lower class; those of the middle or higher class would not participate in these sexual businesses. Bordellos were located in the major cities where young men would engage in this
When the gold rush died down, some people decided to stay in California, turning a remote area into prosperous territory and eventually a state which would have otherwise remained empty for several years. 100 years after Marshall's discovery, over 2 1/4 billion dollars in gold was taken from California. James Marshall never did become rich after discovering gold, and he eventually died near Sutter's
One way that Californios were dispossessed of their land after 1846 was through arrests and intimidation. For example, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was arrested by a group known as ‘The bear flag revolt’ who wanted to declare California as an independent republic. The large amount of Americans moving to California only made it worse. Many Squatters challenged the land grants due to their vagueness and racial violence was used to criminalize Mexicans. Americans would steal horses, slaughter cattle, and use public displays of lynching to send messages of intimidation. Vallejo also faced hardship when he tried to remove squatters from his land. It became very difficult for him when the California state legislature passed a law protecting squatters.
This paper will discuss the impact Spanish colonization and Mexican control had on the indigenous Indian population in California between 1769 and 1848. As well as discussing the historical origins, social organizations, material conditions, and world-view of the California Indians prior to 1769, this paper will explain the impact of New Spain’s Mission System on the Alta California Indian population between 1769 to 1821 and the response of its system by the Indians.
Gold found in California starting the Gold Rush, happened to not be the first discovery of gold in there. “But gold had been found in 1843 near the Mission San Fernando in Southern California”. Although this discovery did not spark much attention, reason being. At that the time the country was under Mexican rule. “ The great California gold rush began on January 24,1848, when James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget in the American River while constructing a sawmill for John Sutter, a Sacramento agriculturalist”. Discovery of this gold generated the Gold Rush, which is one of the most significant events that