Lesson 2: Early Settlement

Key Idea

For over 200 years after Cabrillo, Spain explored the coast but left it mostly empty. But by the late 1700s, Spain grew worried that Russian fur traders or the British would take over California.

To protect its land, Spain decided to build settlements. In 1769, an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá and Father Junípero Serra traveled north. In San Diego, Father Serra established the first mission in Alta California. This marked the beginning of permanent Spanish settlement.

Key Idea

Spanish priests called Franciscan missionaries ran the missions. A leader named Junípero Serra started many of the first missions. Their job was to teach California Indians about the Catholic religion and Spanish ways of life.

The missions depended on the work of California Indians. They built the churches, farmed the land, and cared for animals. Some came to the missions for food and protection. Others were brought there by force and were not allowed to leave.

Key Idea

After 1834, the government gave the mission lands away to Mexican citizens living in California. These large gifts of land were called land grants.

Mexican citizens born in California, known as Californios, used these grants to start huge farms. These powerful landowners, called rancheros, built enormous cattle ranches. This marked the beginning of the "Golden Age" of the ranchos.

Key Idea

In 1848, gold was discovered in California. This exciting news started the Gold Rush. People from all over the world hurried to California, hoping to find gold and become rich.

Many of these newcomers arrived in 1849 and were called forty-niners. Because so many people came, California's population grew very fast. Some people, called entrepreneurs, made money by selling food, tools, and other supplies to the miners.