In this Grade 4 lesson from California myWorld Interactive, Chapter 4, students learn how California wrote its first constitution at the 1849 constitutional convention in Monterey and became the 31st state through the Compromise of 1850. Students explore key concepts including the roles of delegates, the three branches of state government, and the debate over slavery that shaped California's path to statehood.
Section 1
Californians Write Rules for Statehood
The Gold Rush brought so many people to California that it needed a government right away.
In 1849, leaders from different backgrounds met in Monterey to write a plan for how to run the new state.
Section 2
A Compromise Makes California a State
After writing their constitution, Californians asked to join the United States. But the country was stuck in a big argument about slavery. Because California wanted to be a free state where slavery was banned, its request for statehood was delayed.
To solve the problem, leaders in the U.S. Congress made a special agreement called the Compromise of 1850. This important deal allowed California to enter the Union as a free state.
Section 3
New Laws Change Land Ownership
After California became a state, new laws changed life for the people already living there. The U.S. government passed the Land Act of 1851.
This law required Californios to prove they owned their land grants from Mexico. The process was long and expensive, and many families lost their ranchos.
Section 4
California Supports the Union in the Civil War
About ten years after California became a state, a big war started in the United States. This was the Civil War (1861–1865), a fight between the northern states, called the Union, and the southern states, called the Confederacy.
In 1861, soon after the war began, California officially pledged its loyalty to the Union.
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Section 1
Californians Write Rules for Statehood
The Gold Rush brought so many people to California that it needed a government right away.
In 1849, leaders from different backgrounds met in Monterey to write a plan for how to run the new state.
Section 2
A Compromise Makes California a State
After writing their constitution, Californians asked to join the United States. But the country was stuck in a big argument about slavery. Because California wanted to be a free state where slavery was banned, its request for statehood was delayed.
To solve the problem, leaders in the U.S. Congress made a special agreement called the Compromise of 1850. This important deal allowed California to enter the Union as a free state.
Section 3
New Laws Change Land Ownership
After California became a state, new laws changed life for the people already living there. The U.S. government passed the Land Act of 1851.
This law required Californios to prove they owned their land grants from Mexico. The process was long and expensive, and many families lost their ranchos.
Section 4
California Supports the Union in the Civil War
About ten years after California became a state, a big war started in the United States. This was the Civil War (1861–1865), a fight between the northern states, called the Union, and the southern states, called the Confederacy.
In 1861, soon after the war began, California officially pledged its loyalty to the Union.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter