California History

California is a state blessed with sunshine and fertile land. It also has a rugged coastline and desert. The living wasn't always easy here and California history is a tale of violence and the fight for land. Numerous tribal groups of Native Americans inhabited the area, following their way of life along the coast and inland too. European explorers began to take an interest in this part of the New World, mapping it and discovering the resources.

The Spanish had a particular involvement and Spanish Missions were founded in coastal areas from 1769. Spanish rule led to the Mexican War of Independence, which resulted in Mexico, including California, gaining independence from Spain in 1821. The state became a destination for cattle ranchers and trappers from the United States and Canada. The brief Mexican - American War of 1846 - 1848 changed the political make up of California history. The Californian Republic was formed but ceased after the US Navy entered San Francisco Bay and the military occupied the state.

The conflict in California ended when a treaty was signed in 1847. The state was then split into Californian territory and Mexican territory. Another new phase also began at this time when the California Gold Rush began. People from all over the world, in the grip of gold fever, came to get rich. Some of them did but others were disappointed. Prospectors traveled from Europe, Asia and Latin America, in addition to the rest of the United States.

In 1850, the area became an official free state of the United States with Sacramento as its capital. Many people settled in California on completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The state opened up for everyone, many going into agriculture. Today, farming, particularly citrus fruit production is an important economic activity. Traditional use of the land is combined with the state being at the forefront of advanced technology industries. Tourism is popular too with many visitors going to Los Angeles and San Francisco to learn about California history.

California is a very cosmopolitan society and draws strength from its different communities. People are outward looking and the rest of the world is caught up in the music and movie industries that are based there. Popular music has a long legacy here, from the surf sound of the Beach Boys to the bands of today. Hollywood films are the most successful export. The movie studios turned Hollywood from a sleepy village to one of the most famous places in California history.

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