Analysis of California History - Essay Example

Jedidah O. Valdez 10 September 2007 California History Essay California is a inthewestern United s, bordering the Pacific Ocean. It is the third largest state in the Union. ThenameCaliforniawas first used to designate the region by the Spanish expedition led by Juan Rodrguez Cabrillo, as it sailed northward along the coast from Mexico in 1542. The name itself was probably derived from a popular Spanish novel published in 1510 in which a fictional island paradise named California was described. The state's official nickname is the Golden State, referring to the gold rush, which played a central role in California's entry into the Union on September 9, 1850, as the 31st state. History provides a glimpse of the diversity of California's inhabitants, including the Native Americans, Chinese and Japanese. Several cultures prevail in the land and throughout the history of California different government had attempted to subdue its original people. Let us consider the succession of the most famous explorations in California. Prehistoricinhabitants of California practiced complex religions, hunted with arrowheads made of flint, and subsisted largely on the abundant available acorns supplemented by numerous small animals; coastal peoples ate fish and shellfish. Indigenous Californians often lived in small communities of about 150 people. This was the setting when the Europeans first set foot in California. Most historians agree that Portuguese-born Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo was the first European to explore California. Sailing under the Spanish flag in 1542, Cabrillo hoped to find the Northwest Passage; instead, he found the California coast and claimed the new-found land for Spain. With his entrance into California, the course of California Indian history changed drastically. Traditionally, California Indians have been portrayed in history as a docile primitive people, who openly embraced the invading Spaniards and were rapidly subdued. This naive argument adds little to a sensible understanding of native history in California and undoubtedly is derived from crude feelings of racial superiority on the part of its advocates. The relationship between the Spanish and the Indians was not a peaceful co-existence. Rather, the history of California Indians is the story of an attempt to survive a series of invasions and the hardships that ensued. In 1579, an Englishman, Sir Francis Drake, sailed into California. Drake spent five weeks among the California natives and before leaving, he claimed the whole territory for the English Crown. He based his claim on the "right of discovery." Thus, within the first 40 years of European influence in California, two countries had claimed the land, and neither had acknowledged the rights of the natives who had resided on it for thousands of years. Other explorers of early California included Pedro de Unamuno in 1587, Sebastian Rodriquez Cermeno in 1595, and Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602-1603. However, no Europeans settled in California for nearly 200 years thereafter. On July 16, 1769, the Spanish founded the first mission in California. Father Junpero Serra, a Franciscan friar of the Roman Catholic Church, established the Carmel Mission, originally known as Mission San Carlos Borromeo, at Monterey Bay in 1770 (Chan and Olin 60). It was one of the chains of 21 missions built by the Franciscans between 1769 and 1823. These missions ultimately became the foundation for Spanish settlements in California. Spain's Indian policy at the time of the invasion of California was a mixture of economic, military, political, and religious motives. Indians were regarded by the Spanish government as subjects of the Crown and human beings capable of receiving the sacraments of Christianity. It was essential under 'missionization' that California Indians be 'reduced' into settled and stable communities where they would become good subjects of the King and children of God. Missionization required a brutal lifestyle similar in several respects to the forced movement of black people from Africa to the American South. The missions of California, however, were not exclusively religious institutions. They were, on the contrary, instruments designed to bring about a total change in culture in a brief period of time. The missions were built with Indian labor. This seems ironic given the devastating effect the mission system had on Indian population and culture, but the Spanish saw the Indian neophytes (a neophyte is a new religious convert) as little more than an energy source which cost nothing to acquire and nothing to maintain - they were an expendable resource. Throughout the mission period, Indians resisted Spanish rule but the clerico - military administration did not tolerate even non-violent resistance. They responded by attempting to prevent escapes, sending out armed parties to capture runaways, and punishing recaptured runaways. When Indians did resist, they did not go unpunished; in many instances, it was punishment that caused the resistance. Perhaps the most spectacular Indian rebellion in California during this era was the 1824 revolt at Missions La Purisima and Santa Barbara. The reason for the revolt was ill treatment and forced labor imposed by the soldiers and priests upon neophytes in the area, but the immediate cause was a fight that broke out at the flogging of a neophyte. The Indians who led the rebellion were punished. Seven Indians were put to death, while many others were imprisoned and required to do hard labor. Another form of resistance involved the retention of native religious activities. In general, the natives did their best to secretly preserve their ancient religion in the missions, although it became increasingly difficult to do so. In looking at the mission system, it is easy to understand why the Indians resisted. Other conditions that made the mission intolerable to the Indians included overcrowding, lack of native foods, and the weather (especially for inland Indians who were required to live on the coast for the entire year). Not everything though was negative under Hispanic rule. In 1824, the constitution guaranteed citizenship to "all persons." While neither the Spanish nor the Mexicans acknowledged Indian land ownership, they did provide the natives with the right to continue to occupy their villages. Indians were also introduced to farming, and although both farming and cattle grazing had a devastating effect on the native habitat, the farming experience itself provided Indians with the skills necessary to survive in the upcoming years. During this period, many native people also learned crafts that helped them find employment once the Americans arrived. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, there was a shift in the entire approach to Indian policy taken by the government. In 1825 Lt. Col. Jose Maria Echeandia was appointed in Mexico to be governor of California and when he came north he brought with him new ideas of Mexican republicanism. He also wished to abolish the missions and in 1834-1836 Governor Jose Figueroa was finally forced by the Mexican government to commence the formal secularization of the missions. The process of secularization provided that one half of the mission property would go to support the Indians, and half to support the priests and other officials. As government emphasis changed from a mission approach to private enterprise, large land grants were given to Mexican citizens. This was necessary in order to put additional lands under Mexican rule. Naturalized citizens were awarded large land grants to settle for Mexico. During the years 1830 to 1846 the interior native population suffered more extensively from brutality and violence. However, disease had a much greater effect on Indians than any act of violence. During this period, smallpox and scarlet fever had a devastating effect on the native population, killing thousands. With the ranchos came a need for a labor force. Much like the missions, the ranchos used Indians to meet this need. Major landowners took advantage of the lack of unity among Indian groups. For example, they would make pacts with one Indian group, and then require them to bring in other Indians to serve as laborers. Once the landowners had organized their labor force, they would exchange labor with other ranchers. Thus a system of labor that was virtually cost-free was developed. Another example of how Mexican landowners worked this labor system to their advantage is much like a barter system; the natives provided labor in exchange for goods. In summary, this era (1769 - 1848) saw the beginning and the end of the mission period. Because of disease, homocide, and loss of their native environment and food sources, the Indian population in California decreased from 310,000 to approximately 100,000. With the secularization of the missions, the Indians were confronted with new problems of private ownership. In 1848, California came under the authority of the United States, and just as the Indians were becoming accustomed to the rancho system, the gold rush brought about a new era of Indian-settler relations (Chan and Olin 75). Before 1845, the Spanish/Mexican population of California numbered only a few thousand. But by 1849, during the gold rush, the non-Indian population of California had grown to 100,000. The Indian population was already in a weakened condition, suffering from disease and lack of food, and from violent confrontations with the new landowners. Once the Americans arrived, California Indians were at an even greater disadvantage. With the lure of instant wealth in front of them, the new settlers wanted little to do with the Indians. On the Americans' arrival, the large ranchos were broken up, and the new, more numerous landowners on smaller parcels of land were less tolerant of Indians. The small ranchos were farmed and grazed more intensively, and this caused an even greater reduction in the Indians' natural food supply. Jobs once belonging to Indians, especially skilled jobs, were taken by Whites. We need only look at the early record of the California Legislature to understand the relationship of the Americans to the native population during the years from 1849 to 1879. At the first State Constitutional Convention, those assembled voted to eliminate the Indians' right to vote because they feared the control Indians might exercise. In 1850, An Act for the Government and Protection of Indians was enacted by the first session of the State Legislature. This law set the tone for Indian-White relations to come. The act provided for the following: 1. The Justice of the Peace would have jurisdiction over all complaints between Indians and Whites; "but in no case shall a white man be convicted of any offense upon the testimony of an Indian or Indians." 2. Landowners would permit Indians who were peaceably residing on their land to continue to do so. 3. Whites would be able to obtain control of Indian children. (This section would eventually be used to justify and provide for Indian slavery.) 4. If any Indian was convicted of a crime, any White person could come before the court and contract for the Indian's services, and in return, would pay the Indian's fine. 5. It would be illegal to sell or administer alcohol to Indians. 6. Indians convicted of stealing a horse, mule, cow, or any other valuable could receive any number of lashes not to exceed 25, and fines not to exceed $200. (It should be noted that the law provided that abusing an Indian child by Whites was to be punished by no more than a $10 fine. It is hard to compare the penalty with the crime.) 7. Finally, an Indian found strolling, loitering where alcohol was sold, begging, or leading a profligate course of life would be liable for arrest. The justice, mayor, or recorder would make out a warrant. Within 24 hours, the services of the Indian in question could be sold to the highest bidder. The term of service would not exceed four months. This law was widely abused with regard to the use of Indians as laborers, though it did allow Indians to reside on private land. The thirty - year period from 1849 to 1879 saw the establishment of California as a state. With statehood, laws were passed that infringed on the rights of Indian people to occupy their homelands, and caused them to be used much like slaves. It was not until the enactment of the 14th Amendment that these rights were restored. Treaties were negotiated and rejected; reservations established, dissolved, and reinstated; and Indians were still in a period of unrest. Building materials were in great demand in early California because of the sudden increase in population brought about by the Gold Rush. Pre-fabricated buildings and materials were shipped from the East Coast by way of Cape Horn, or were imported from other countries overseas. Under these circumstances, California developed trade relations with China. Most Chinese immigrants entered California through the port of San Francisco. They developed a Chinese American community there, and made an effort to participate in the political and cultural life of the city. The United States Constitution in the 1850s reserved the right of naturalization for White immigrants to this country. It recognized only two skin colors, White and Black. Since early Chinese immigrants were neither Black nor White, some were allowed to become naturalized citizens, but most were not. Without citizenship, they could not vote or hold government office, and had no voice in determining their future in this country. They were designated as "aliens ineligible for citizenship," and as such were unable to own land or file mining claims. They retained their Chinese citizenship, since they were not allowed to become citizens of the United States. Their future in California was uncertain, even though they paid taxes and contributed to the economy of the country. In 1860, two discriminatory laws were passed in California. One forbade Chinese American children to attend public schools. The other required a special license to be purchased by Chinese fishermen. It was called a license instead of a tax because unequal taxation was forbidden by law (in other words, it was illegal to tax Chinese fishermen and not Italian or Portuguese fishermen). In 1862, the first nationwide discriminatory legislation singling out Chinese (or Mongolians, as they were often called) and not vaguely directed at "foreign miners" or "aliens ineligible for citizenship" was passed. The United States Congress passed a "Cooly Traffic Law" prohibiting transportation and importation of coolies from China, except when immigration was certified as voluntary by United States consular agents. Shortly afterward, the California legislature passed an act to protect free White labor against competition from Chinese coolie labor, and to discourage immigration of Chinese into the state of California. A "police tax" law was passed, whereby all Mongolians 18 years or over, unless they had already paid a miner's tax or were engaged in production of sugar, rice, coffee, or tea, had to pay a monthly personal tax of $2.50. This was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court in 1863. Despite hostility and discrimination, Chinese continued to immigrate to California to avail them of whatever opportunities awaited them here. When they were prevented from mining gold in the mining districts, they became merchants, laborers, or laundrymen, or sought employment elsewhere. As with most people of color, Japanese have suffered a variety of discriminatory practices, legislation, and restrictions. Perhaps this could have been expected considering the initial conditions under which Japanese were originally enticed to immigrate to the United States - as only a source of labor, with no plans for them to stay and participate actively in the life of the society. Even as a source of labor, Japanese immigrants were criticized for being too numerous. They were seen as inassimilable and potentially capable of overrunning the state. The Asiatic Exclusion League, formed in May 1905, mounted a campaign to exclude Japanese and Koreans from the United States. Under pressure from the league, the San Francisco Board of Education ruled on October 11, 1906 that all Japanese and Korean students should join the Chinese at the segregated Oriental School that had been established in 1884. The history of ethnic minorities in California is characterized by adversity, hard work, community initiative, heartache, triumphs, indomitable spirits, and hope for the future. People of color in the United States have often been depicted as helpless victims of discriminatory practices and legislation, with little appreciation of their strengths, how they struggled with adversity, and how they established and defined themselves in all aspects of their lives. What has been of value to their communities has frequently gone undocumented; neither their spirit nor their energy has been fully depicted. Many years had passed since the exploration of California had begun; awareness of human rights had increased rapidly. Today, memories of the past may linger but a new leaf in the history of California had long begun for its entire people. Work Cited Chan, Sucheng, and Spencer Olin. Major Problems in California History. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Read More