"Southern California: An Island on the Land"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses McWilliams' thesis in "Southern California: An Island on the Land" that California, the golden state of great wealth was built by exploiting individuals who never enjoyed its riches and were often unjustly denied the name or rights of Americans. The paper is of the opinion that McWilliams' book, although first written in 1946, is a strikingly refreshing text to read against more conventional and seemingly balanced histories. The paper explains that McWilliams' passionate history seems to better express the land and why California is still so complex, so racially divided and provokes such passion today.

From the Paper:

"Carey McWilliams' title of his history of Southern California, Southern California: An Island on the Land, suggests that Southern California encapsulates a unique culture, as distinct from the rest of the United States, almost like an island nation. Although tied to the land, the colorful constellation of cultures, political personalities, and economic speculation that influenced the region caused it stand apart from the rest of the nation. McWilliams attempts to explain some of the extraordinary developments that occurred during the region's history, even before it became a state."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McWilliams, Cary. Southern California: An Island on the Land. First published 1946.Gibbs Smith, 1980.
• Rice, Richard B., William A. Bullough, & Richard J. Orsi. The Elusive Eden: A New History of California. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.

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