Description
California was Mexico long before settlers came from Europe. Mexicans are the indigenous people of the western United States. So... we should be grateful that Mexicans are willing to share this area with us gringos.
The story on Early Spanish and Mexican History,
The Spanish were the first Europeans to settle the land we know as California, where they established ports to resupply ships in the Pacific Ocean and Franciscan missions to both spread religion to California's native people and use them for labor in the cattle industry.
The Spanish called the land Alta California, and their settlers, known as californios, found themselves isolated from the rest of the Spanish Empire even while growing wealthy as merchants and traders in beef, tallow, and cattle hides.
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, Alta California was the last to declare its allegiance to the new government. A young californios would have seen fireworks and ceremony, but little enthusiasm from friends and neighbors as a second flag, that of Mexico, flew over the territory.
Under Mexican rule, California remained distant from the capital. However, the Mexican government removed an old Spanish policy prohibiting trade with foreigners so, starting in the 1820s, American, British, and Russian traders and fur trappers landed their ships in California's ports.
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