StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Californias Cultural Evolution - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
If there's one place in the world which has seen so many societal transformations, it would be the geographical area characterized by rocky cliffs and a wide stretch of coastlines- the place we now call California. From being mastered by the Native Americans to colonization of Europeans and the gradual domination of Americans, the area has seen so many events that had shifted the way of life for all its inhabitants and immigrants…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.7% of users find it useful
Californias Cultural Evolution
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Californias Cultural Evolution"

Download file to see previous pages

There are many literatures romanticizing the richness of its civilization but the fact remains that these social groups were hunters and gatherers with some already having some semblance of agricultural knowledge. When the Spaniards came with their swords and their cross, the bow and arrow wielding natives were forced to become 'civilized' which stood for adapting and tailoring their customs and habits according to European culture. The Native Americans who were conquered soon became mini Spaniards because they shifted their beliefs and customs to mimic those of the colonizers and most importantly, they traded their native tongue for Spanish words.

Although many native groups which were left alone resumed their hunting and gathering orientation, most of the inhabitants of California have become agriculturally oriented especially with the establishment of Ranchos. These areas were the land where cattle and sheep were raised. It was granted by the Spanish and Mexican regimes to encourage settlement. The domestic animals soon became important exports such as cow hides and fat used to make candles and soaps. Not only were they affected in language and way of subsistence, they also experienced the religious transformation that had become the mark of Spanish colonies.

This was due to the California Missions which saw the construction religious outposts of major sects of Christian religion such as the Dominicans and the Jesuits. These missions were also the avenue thru which European livestock, fruits, vegetables and industry entered the California region. From their old set of animistic beliefs, which others in the past would call as pagan, the Native Americans became Christian primarily because they had no choice but to wield to the interests of the colonizers who had superior arms.

The Gold RushMexicans broke the Spanish rule only to be replaced by Americans during the Mexican-American War in 1846. American domination paved the way for the occurrence of events which would radically transform the society of California. Two years after the American conquest of California, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The discovery led to a remarkable event in California's history and is aptly termed as the Gold Rush. With the discovery came an exodus of miners, merchants and bankers into the region.

It was estimated that in 1855, about 300,000 Forty-Niners or those hoping to get a piece of gold arrived in the region. California saw a precipitous rise in settlements especially along San Francisco Bay.The significance of the Gold Rush was that it transformed the formerly agricultural region to a mining and profit oriented society though agriculture was still an integral part. This had the effect of bringing in capital to the region thereby sponsoring a boom in infrastructures and developments in housing and education.

The immigrants were by no means illiterate and untrained. In fact, they were highly skilled and trained in their profession. The immigrants had knowledge as teamsters, draymen, lighter men, riggers, stevedores, bakers,

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Californias Cultural Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Californias Cultural Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1526287-californias-cultural-evolution
(Californias Cultural Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Californias Cultural Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1526287-californias-cultural-evolution.
“Californias Cultural Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1526287-californias-cultural-evolution.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Californias Cultural Evolution

California Rising: The Life and Times of Pat Brown

This essay explores the California Rising: The Life and Times of Pat Brown.... nbsp;In the 1900s, California was avowed to be the most populous state in the nation (Rarick, "California Rising" 1-3).... California was described by writers as the place "where the new American society is coming into full view"....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Gidget by Frederick Kohner and Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

This is a distinctive part of the US cultural map.... On her arrival she rented an apartment at 28 Barbara Lane and suddenly came across socio-cultural diversity and dynamic urban life.... Thus, two worlds of Francie and Mary Ann create a sharp contrast between Californian cultural layers....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

The Gold Rush Era

This paper deals with the positive impact of Gold Rush in California.... The Gold Rush of California began in the year 1848 and continued until 1855.... The means of transport also increased because the government was forced to introduce railways and upgrade roadways for such a highly populated state....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

The Interconnected Water System of California

On a global scale, it is the most world's largest and most controversial as well as productive water system.... It manages over 49km3… To that effect, the Southern California lacks the reliable dry seasonal rainfall.... This has made water to be limited in an area in one of the most populous state in the United States....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

The Canton Village Restaurant

In the paper “The Canton Village Restaurant” the author analyzes the Canton Village restaurant, which has been a staple of Southern California's Chinese community for more than 30 years.... Established in the 1970s, the Canton Village restaurant is located on the ground floor of a former hotel....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Culture and Context

In order to attain a stronger hold over social aspects and different dimensions of human life, Christianity collaborated with the monarchy and established itself as a supreme force in the Western socio-cultural discourse.... Prior to the intellectual and cultural revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries, for a long period of time such religious oppression continued that exaggerated considerable effect on socio-cultural trends of Western society, leading to an oppressive existence....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Jonathan Gold and Cultural Diversity

The paper "Jonathan Gold and cultural Diversity" discusses how Jonathan Gold as a food critic is helping to make America a multicultural country.... nbsp;A visual culture which includes performing arts, paintings among others could be the solution to bringing the existential gap in the race relations in America....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Concepts of Power and Cultural Identity

… The paper “Concepts of Power and cultural Identity”  is a motivating version of an essay on social science.... The paper “Concepts of Power and  cultural Identity”  is a motivating version of an essay on social science.... Each given society regards power with certain attached perceptions and cultural inclinations....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us