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| Frontier Thesis & Frederick Turner Jackson |
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Definition
| the frontier thesis, 1893: “the significance of the frontier in american history”. Argued that american democracy was formed by the american frontier. The west needed to be conquered, civilized to find a meeting place between savagery and civilization (got rid of european customs and mindsets.) 1890 census impressed Turner and led him to write a paper about how the frontier was the thing that made the U.S. different from Europe. The frontier developed certain traits and values among Americans like belief in democracy, social mobility, equality, progress. Said the west was different from the east: progress vs. old world. The frontier transformed europeans into americans. |
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| Historians and CA/the West |
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Definition
| Patricia LImerick, Daniel Worster & William Cronon critical of turner’s thesis. Study West in new ways: Environment, gender, race; See frontier as a place, not a process like turner. New west historians have 4 key points: convergence, continuity, conquest, complexity. |
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| Beringia land bridge; Kelp highway |
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Definition
| Theories to explain the colonization of the New World. beringia land bridge aka ice-free corridor theory; land bridge crossers. Kelp highway theory: coastal migration; asian seafarers. |
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| shaped California’s coastline, topography (the arrangement of the natural & artificial physical features of an area) |
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| skeletal remains at Arlington Springs on Santa Rosa Island. Radiocarbon dating: 11,000. Helped Coastal Migration Theory because of where she was found. |
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| California natives’ language & environment |
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Definition
| 100-150 villages, 80-135 dialects or languages, food plentiful, Trade, gender roles defined (Men: hunters, Women: Gatherers & took care of children) |
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| tribal village led by chieftain or headman |
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| acorns made california distinctive, very important in indian’s diet. Shells used as a form of money |
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| acorns made california distinctive, very important in indian’s diet. Shells used as a form of money |
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| Chumash settlement along central coast. About 15,000 Chumash at time of european contact in 1500s. Skilled mariners. Permanent villages. Money was shells. Traded throughout channel islands and interior regions of california. Hunter-gatherer way of life. Knowledgeable of plants and animals. Know for their rock paintings. Lived in well organized villages consisting of well constructed tule mat grass houses or huts. Such dwellings well suited for mild climate of santa barbara coastline. Seafarers. Constructed planked canoes: tomol. 30 ft in length, used for whaling at times. Smaller tomols were used for transportation and capture of smaller fish. |
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| “person” or “people”, San Joaquin Valley, Tule plant vital: lived in houses oval-shaped roof and walls covered with tule mats. |
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| “person” or “people”, San Joaquin Valley, Tule plant vital: lived in houses oval-shaped roof and walls covered with tule mats. |
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| a North American Indian of any of several tribes that subsisted on roots dug from the ground. Digger stereotype: “they dig for roots and eat them”primitive, bloodthirsty, underdeveloped, lazy, comic, pathetic. Inferior to whites; portrayal often accompanied with violence. “They are small in stature; thin, squalid, dirty, & degraded in appearance. In their habits little better than an orangutan. They are certainly the worst type of savage i have seen.” Hubert Howe Bancroft’s first volume of Native Races (1886) |
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| Three Worlds- early Indians |
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Definition
| 1) Upper world of planets & constellations 2)Middle world of humans & physical environment 3)underworld of reptilian & harmful beasts |
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Definition
| Alfred Kroeber was an anthropologist who pioneered study on California (Yani, Yokut, Mojave, Yurok). Columbia University student, UC Berkeley professor. Kroeber finds Ishi, takes him in. handbook of the indians of california (1925). Ishi was the last known member of the native american yahi people for CA. Kroeber shows him off to everyone. |
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| Queen Calafia & Las Sergas de Esplandian |
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Definition
| “Queen Calafia” novel, Las Sergas (exploits) de Esplandian. Author Garci ordonez de montalvo, 1510. Queen Calafia ruled over a domain that spaniards dreamed of- one of gold, pearls, beautiful women. Hernan Cortes drawn by book. He was a conquistador of the aztec empire. Initial belief of california as island. Early maps erroneously supported it. |
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| In 1542, the Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers San Diego Bay while searching for the Strait of Anian, a mythical all-water route across North America. Explorer Cabrillo arrived in San Miguel (San Diego) Bay. Gifts and exchange with native californians. Customary “possession ceremonies”. Cabrillo sailed to monterey bay. By that time he experienced gangrene from previous wound. Died in 1543. |
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| Colonization and Manilla Galleon trade, 1565-1815, established profitable commercial global path. Exchange of Spanish silver coin “pieces of eight” from Mexico and Peru (new spain) for chinese silks, porcelains, samurai swords, ivory. |
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| 1579. English pirate, on orders from England’s Queen Elizabeth. Sailed in golden hind to CA’s Point Reyes peninsula in 1579. Nova Albion (New England); Interacted with Miwoks |
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| To establish missions in Alta, CA. Aimed to pacify, convert, & hispanicize Indians; also labor. Missions (where conversions took place) served as military outposts. In 1760, land and maritime expeditions led project. 2 parts: military (Captain Gaspar de Portola) and religious (Father Junipero Serra). Serra oversaw California missions; established earliest ones (First one: Mission San Diego de Alcala). By 1823, 21 missions from San Diego to Sonoma (500 miles); each linked by El Camino Real (Royal Road) |
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| Gente de razón, Neophytes, Gentiles |
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Definition
| Gente de razón (People of reason) were Spaniards and Californios. Neophytes were Indian converts vs Gentiles who were Indians not at missions. Beatings, rapes, and high death rates. |
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| Missions, Presidios and Pueblos |
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| Conversions took place at missions. Each mission was to last 10 years. Neophytes were to learn skills and receive land. Four presidios (Spanish forts): San Diego 1769, Santa Barbara 1782, Monterey 1770, San Francisco 1776. 3 Pueblos (civilian towns) to support presidios: San Jose 1777, Los Angeles 1781, Branciforte 1797. Felipe de Neve named governor of Baja & Alta California; Direct founding of pueblos (towns). San José de Guadalupe became Alta California’s first pueblo. California’s second pueblo: Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula (Our lady the queen of the angels by the river of porciuncula), established Sept 4, 1781. In pueblos, an alcalde served as mayor, overseeing food production. Pobladores, or colonists, of mixed ethnicity settled in california's pueblos. Ethnically Los angeles 46 original settlers included 2 spaniards, mestizo (Spanish-indian) & mulattos (white & black). Villa De Branciforte (santa cruz) was 3rd pueblo. 9/17 settlers had been convicts; promised supplies didn't arrive. Colony disbanded within 2 decades of its 1977 founding. |
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| Central Valley Exploration |
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Definition
| Don Pedro Fages (Spanish soldier, explorer, first lieutenant governor of california under gaspar de portola). First written records of explorations in southern san joaquin valley. Lt. Gabriel Moraga (Alta California explorer) responsible for naming el rio de san joaquin (father of the virgin mary) & el rio del santissimo sacramento (river of the holy sacrament) & rio de los santos reyes (river of holy kings). |
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| religious (Father Junipero Serra). Serra oversaw California missions; established earliest ones (First one: Mission San Diego de Alcala). |
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| religious (Father Junipero Serra). Serra oversaw California missions; established earliest ones (First one: Mission San Diego de Alcala). |
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| The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict, and the culmination of a political and social process which ended the rule of Spain in 1821 in the territory of New Spain. After Independence California is dysfunctional. Secularization caused a lot of problems bc elites didn't want to give up land. |
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| The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict, and the culmination of a political and social process which ended the rule of Spain in 1821 in the territory of New Spain. After Independence California is dysfunctional. Secularization caused a lot of problems bc elites didn't want to give up land. |
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| Father Miguel Hidalgo & Grito de Dolores |
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Definition
| called the father of Mexican independence.Did the first act against Spain. He failed and was killed by firing squad. The Grito de Dolores is a historical event that happened in Mexico in 16 September 1810. Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell of his church and gave the pronunciamiento (call to arms) that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. This happened in the state of Guanajuato within the small town of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo). |
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| Secularization of mission |
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Definition
| The Mexican secularization act of 1833 was passed twelve years after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico feared Spain would continue to have influence and power in California because most of the Spanish missions in California remained loyal to the Roman Catholic Church in Spain. As the new Mexican republic matured, calls for the secularization ("disestablishment") of the missions increased. Once fully implemented, the secularization act, called An Act for the Secularization of the Missions of California, took away much of the California Mission land and sold or gave it away in large grants called ranchos. |
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| Spaniards who are born in the americas, criollos (born in New Spain). Peninsulares- Born in Mexico. Native and poor people saw no difference between these two groups. From this you get rancheros which is the just the land. It was granted to the elites by government to maintain control over neophytes and natives. |
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| Hide and Tallow Trade Society |
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Definition
| The trade in hides and tallow (melted animal fat) was the primary business activity in California during the rancho period. A family's wealth was counted in the number of cattle they owned, and the value of the cattle was in the hides and tallow. The income of the rancho depended on the hides and tallow. Hide and tallow consist of fur trade. Import/export. Trade sea otter & fur seal’s furs to get porcelain, ivory, silk, etc from China in late 1700’s-1800’s. |
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Term
| Vaqueros (rancho labor force) |
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Definition
| Vaqueros were the labor force. Poor mexicans who were hired by ranchers to tend to the livestock and were known for their superior roping, riding and herding skills. Direct correlation with elite and how they did not want to work. |
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| Fur trappers and early settlers (i.e. John Sutter, Jedediah Smith, Lansford Hastings): |
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Definition
| Uncle Jedd Smith 1826 established first overland route for fur trapping. John Sutter: Sutter’s Fort (Donner Party)/Gold (lumber mill). He employs James Marshall who found gold on south fork of american river (Marshall tried to keep it quiet). |
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| Thomas ap Catesby Jones & Jumping the Gun |
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Definition
| 1842: rumors of war, pacific squadron commander thomas ap catesby jones & california’s monterey. U.S. Consul Thomas Larkin concern over Monterey’s takeover. Lack of evidence. Oct. 20, 1842 Jones ignored Larkin, seized town and presidio at monterey. Larkin cited proof of no war. A few days later Jones recalled 150 Marines sent ashore, re-raised Mexican flag over monterey and left. Mexican gov. infuriated : Thomas “Ape” Catesby Jones. Incident showed europe of U.S. interest in california. Also exposed Mexico’s weak hold on the province. |
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| Presidents’ interest in California |
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Definition
| Wanted to annex california: San Francisco Bay ideal center for china trade. President Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico to negotiate a sale to U.S.: $40 million offered for Upper California & New Mexico. Mexican gov. Says no. Polk attempted to stir an independence movement in california. Polk provoked a war with mexico over the texas boundary which starts the war. Congress approved Pol’s call for war. Many people like abraham lincoln and henry david thoreau were critical of polk's intentions. |
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| Americans in California & Bear Flag Revolt, June 1846. June 10: Ezekiel Merritt & General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo lead a group of 12 U.S. citizens in an attack against a small unit of californios near sonoma. A few days later, Merritt led another force to seize the Californio general, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the founder of sonoma and commander of the northern Californio forces. Americans called themselves “Bears”. Raised the bear flag & proclaimed the “California Republic”. American settlers rebelled against the mexican gov and proclaimed california an independent republic. John C. Fremont got involved in revolt. Without U.S. approval, fought Mexicans in “Battle of Olompali” which was the only battle of the revolt. Revolt lasted less than one month- until July 9 when U.S. naval forces took over province. Revolt little consequence in war with Mexico. |
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| Most battles centered in mexico. In california, battles fought mainly in the southern part. July 7, 1846 Pacific Squadron’s John D. Sloat raised American flag over Monterey. Fighting erupted in and around Los Angeles in 1846. December: Mexican army of andres pico defeated forces of U.S. General Stephen Watts Kearny although Kearny reported U.S. victory at battle of San Pasqual. The Californios may have won the battle but they lost the war. In Los Angeles are on January 13th, 1847, Captain Andres Pico surrendered to Fremont in the so-called Cahuenga Capitulation. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ratified by U.S. senate on March 11, 1848.Treaty: U.S. gained California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico. RIghts and properties of Mexicans guaranteed. The mexican-american resulted in Mexico losing nearly half of its territory. |
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| ended the fighting of the Mexican–American War in Alta California in 1847. It was not a formal treaty between nations but an informal agreement between rival military forces in which the Californios gave up fighting. |
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| 1842 made california’s first authenticated gold discovery. First discovery: Santa Clarita (Present day Placerita Canyon in Los Angeles County). The oak of the golden dream: lopez took a nap under this tree. Had a dream about a river of gold, woke up hungry, tried digging up some wild onions but discovered gold. |
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| In 1847, Brannan opened a store at Sutter's Fort, in present-day Sacramento, California. employees of John Sutter paid for goods in Brannan's store with gold they had found at Sutter's Mill. he owned the only store between San Francisco and the gold fields -- a fact he capitalized on by buying up all the picks, shovels and pans he could find, and then running up and down the streets of San Francisco, shouting "Gold! Gold on the American River!" He paid 20 cents each for the pans, then sold them for $15 apiece. In nine weeks, he made $36,000. |
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| Gold seekers aka argonauts took 3 routes. 1. Panama 2. Cape horn 3. Overland (americans & mexicans were the argonauts who mainly used the overland route.) |
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| aka Louise Amelia Clappe. Wrote about life in gold rush society to her sister. People were trying to become rich but they blew their money on gambling and drinking and ended up back at square one. |
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| first one passed in 1850. Targeted miners who were not U.S. citizens (Chinese, Sonorans, Peruvians, & Californios). They had to get Fort Miners License or else they couldn't mine for gold. Intended to discourage people from mining in California and it worked. |
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| Act for the Government and Protection of Indians of 1850 |
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| Created a system of unfree labor- akin to slavery. Allowed arrests and prosecution of indians on vagrancy charges. ‘Vagrant” indians then “hired” out to highest bidder at public auction if Indian couldn't provide sufficient bond or bail money. Indians then owed highest bidder who paid their bail/bond and had to work for them for free to pay off debt. Act allowed for “apprenticing”nor indenturing native children. They had to work for free (slavery). Kidnapping of native children was common. It became a profession. People sold native children. Instances of parents being killed. |
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