The Quest for California

Term Paper # 104964

History > Latin America
Latin-American Studies > Spanish Conquest and Colonization, 1520-1820
Native-American Studies

This paper explores the experiences of the Spanish and Mexican governments in their attempts to colonize California.

1,696 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper reveals that although the periods of the Spanish occupation and Mexican colonization of California have been romanticized by many historians, in actuality there was a brutal struggle between the native Indians and the Spanish and Mexican peoples. The paper describes the efforts of both Spain and Mexico to colonize California and influence their culture. The paper shows how the Indians held to their convictions and heritage even under the threat of abuse and torture.

From the Paper:

"The Spanish expanded their empire into California in 1769, over two hundred years after their first exploration of the California coast. The Spaniards brought with them their European culture which included Catholic missions, presidios (forts protecting the missions), and small towns known as "pueblos". (UCLA Extension Seminar). "The culture of the Spanish was markedly different" from the natives, which resulted in major conflict during Spain's attempt at the colonization of California (Chan & Olin 74). Tensions ensued, and in 1808, the Mexican revolt began against Spanish rule and finally ended in 1821 with Mexican independence. "Mexico...was even less able than Spain..." to handle the colonization of California and live peacefully with the natives (Bean & Rawls)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bean, Walton, and Rawls, James J.. California: An Interpretive History. New York: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 2008.
Chan, Sucheng, and Olin, Spencer. Major Problems in California History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997.
Chapman, Charles E.. A History of California: The Spanish Period. New York: Macmillan, 1991.
Nevins, Allan, and Polk, James. Polk: The Diary of a President, 1845-1849, Covering the Mexican War, the Acquisition of Oregon, and the Conquest of California and the Southwest. London: Longmans, Green, 1929.
UCLA Extension Seminars (2007). UCLA. 24 July 2007 <http://uclaextension.blackboard.com/courses/1/S9953/content/_502019_1/Seminar...>.