In this Grade 3 lesson from Social Studies Alive! California's Communities, students explore why and how different groups settled California, from American Indian communities and Spanish explorers like Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and Father Junípero Serra to immigrants drawn by the Gold Rush, railroad construction, and job opportunities. Students learn key vocabulary including immigrant, mission, citizen, and discriminate while examining the challenges settlers faced and the lasting impact of the mission system on California's development.
Section 1
Spain Builds Missions in California
Long ago, explorers from Spain sailed to California. They decided to build settlements to claim the land for their country and change the lives of the American Indians who already lived there.
The Spanish built 21 religious communities called missions. Priests at the missions taught American Indians about the Spanish religion and way of life. This forced the native people to give up their own cultures.
Section 2
Gold and Jobs Pull People to California
After the Spanish missions, people came to California to start large cattle ranches. Then, the discovery of gold in 1848 started the Gold Rush! People from all over the world hurried to California, hoping to get rich and start a new life.
Soon, more jobs appeared. People came to build the big railroad that connected the country. Others found work in farming, drilling for oil, and making movies in Hollywood. These chances to find work were powerful pull factors that brought many new settlers to California.
Section 3
Immigrant Life in California: Challenges and Successes
Many immigrants came to California hoping for a better life, but they often faced great challenges.
Some people treated them unfairly because they were different, which is called discrimination. It was also hard to find good jobs or learn a new language.
Section 4
People Built Towns and Cities
Many California towns started as small camps. During the Gold Rush, people who came to find gold built small communities. Auburn was one of these gold rush towns.
More people and new inventions helped these small towns grow. The railroad connected California to the rest of the country. It brought new settlers and supplies, turning camps into busy towns.
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Section 1
Spain Builds Missions in California
Long ago, explorers from Spain sailed to California. They decided to build settlements to claim the land for their country and change the lives of the American Indians who already lived there.
The Spanish built 21 religious communities called missions. Priests at the missions taught American Indians about the Spanish religion and way of life. This forced the native people to give up their own cultures.
Section 2
Gold and Jobs Pull People to California
After the Spanish missions, people came to California to start large cattle ranches. Then, the discovery of gold in 1848 started the Gold Rush! People from all over the world hurried to California, hoping to get rich and start a new life.
Soon, more jobs appeared. People came to build the big railroad that connected the country. Others found work in farming, drilling for oil, and making movies in Hollywood. These chances to find work were powerful pull factors that brought many new settlers to California.
Section 3
Immigrant Life in California: Challenges and Successes
Many immigrants came to California hoping for a better life, but they often faced great challenges.
Some people treated them unfairly because they were different, which is called discrimination. It was also hard to find good jobs or learn a new language.
Section 4
People Built Towns and Cities
Many California towns started as small camps. During the Gold Rush, people who came to find gold built small communities. Auburn was one of these gold rush towns.
More people and new inventions helped these small towns grow. The railroad connected California to the rest of the country. It brought new settlers and supplies, turning camps into busy towns.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter