1. Diversity l Physical diversity –Geography (coast; mountains; valley) –Water availability –Resources (climate; gold; opportunity) l Population (waves of immigration) l Economic (post-industrial; $9B; 2-tier)

2. Early History l Native Californians originally from Asia-- 25,000 years ago--peaceable, nomadic l Early colonial settlers--late 1500’s l Spanish missions (via Mexico) circa 1769 l Native Americans numbered 300,000 l Brought into missions as Catholic converts l E.g., Chief Estanislau (Stanislaus - saint)

3. Early History l Spanish did little to develop California except build missions l Disease destroyed many Native Americans l 1822 Mexico declared independence from Spain l 1846 Mexican-American War--Mexico sold western states for $15 M in treaty

4. Modernization l Gold rush (1849) –Population doubled every 6 months –1846: 9,000; 1852: 264,000 l 1850 California admitted to union –Sept. 5 -- 31st state –Slave free requirement l Southern Pacific RR (1861) –Hopkins, Crocker, Huntington, Stanford –Strong federal support

5. Constitution Making l 1849 First Constitution follows convention –Hybrid document w/compromises –Bill of Rights (16 sections) –Plural Executive (several elected officers) –Bicameral Legislature –4 tier judicial system –Only white males vote but married women had property rights

6. 1849 Constitution (cont.) l Bilingual requirement for Constitution l Separate provision for public education l Limit public debt l Model based on Pennsylvania & other states

7. Modernization l “Machine model” of government –Localities support Rail Road –Jackson’s model of political spoils l Late 1800’s Recession l Populist reaction –Denis Kearney & Workingmen’s Party –Grange Movement & small farmers l Second Constitutional Convention (1878-9)

8. 1879 Constitution l Political Compromise: –Large financial interests (banks, corporations, landowners) regulated –Farmer/ Railroad feuds –Urban workers/ Business & Chinese –State Board of Equalization (local tax)

9. 1879 Constitution (cont.) l Specific provisions for local governments –Grand jury required every year l Restricted legislative domain (33 areas proscribed) l Plural executive (Constitutional officers) l Tax support of charities, orchards & vineyards, etc. l No bilingual requirement

10. Progressive Movement l “Good government” reformers from new middle class l Hiram Johnson became governor, 1910 l Public Utilities Commission created l Weakened political parties and bosses l Direct democracy initiatives l Banned land ownership by immigrants

11. The Great Depression l Growth in 1920s l Dust Bowl shifted population to Central Valley l Federal Water Projects in 1930s transformed the Central Valley

12. Post World War II l Economic boom of 1950s and ‘60s l Edmund G. (Pat) Brown and public infrastructure –Water projects –Higher education –State highway network

13. Proposition 13 Reaction l Citizen-led tax revolt l Limited property tax rates and increases l Continued population growth l Competing demands for: –Housing –Water –Clean air l Growing inequality