Early California: Historical Overview

Native American California Before Europeans arrived, the land we call California was inhabited by about 300,000 Native Americans, who lived in tribal groups.

Always a Land of Diversity California has a greater variety of geographical regions, landforms, and climates than any area of comparable size in what is now the United States. California has a greater variety of geographical regions, landforms, and climates than any area of comparable size in what is now the United States. As a result, an extraordinary cultural diversity prevailed among the Native American peoples of California. As a result, an extraordinary cultural diversity prevailed among the Native American peoples of California. Housing, dress, means of transportation varied from one region to another. Housing, dress, means of transportation varied from one region to another.

What did first Californians eat? Most lived by hunting and gathering. Most lived by hunting and gathering. The staple food throughout much of California was the acorn, a nutritious food source that has a higher caloric content than wheat. The staple food throughout much of California was the acorn, a nutritious food source that has a higher caloric content than wheat. Large game--including deer, antelope, elk, sheep, and bear--were present over more than half of the state. Fish were abundant in the many streams and rivers. Large game--including deer, antelope, elk, sheep, and bear--were present over more than half of the state. Fish were abundant in the many streams and rivers.

Junípero Serra arrived in 1769 and founded California's first nine missions. He served as father-president of the missions. Europeans first came to California from the south. Juan Cabrillo and his crew sailed into San Diego Bay on Sept. 28, 1542.

Presidios Spanish officials established four presidios, or military forts, along the California coast. Spanish officials established four presidios, or military forts, along the California coast. If an Indian revolt or attack occurred at a mission, the soldiers from one of the nearby presidios could be rapidly deployed to assist. If an Indian revolt or attack occurred at a mission, the soldiers from one of the nearby presidios could be rapidly deployed to assist. Several presidios were located near entrances to the best ports, at locations where they could defend the harbors against foreign attack. Several presidios were located near entrances to the best ports, at locations where they could defend the harbors against foreign attack. Like the missions, the presidios also were placed in areas where supplies of fresh water were available. Like the missions, the presidios also were placed in areas where supplies of fresh water were available.

Mexican California Mexican independence from Spain was achieved in 1821, following a long, bloody struggle. The Spanish missions lost their lands. Mexican administrators created huge cattle ranches or ranchos. A few wealthy land- owning families emerged as a rancho elite.

California GoldRush News of the discovery of gold in California in 1848 attracted hundreds of thousands of gold-seekers from across the U.S. and around the world. Their arrival transformed California’s economic, social, cultural, and political history.

Modern California How many city names do you see that were derived from the names of Spanish missions? Where are these cities located?

What natural forces threatened missions?