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31,000 BCE
Migration across Beringia
The start of people slowly migrating into North America from a land bridge. -
Period: 31,000 BCE to 1542
Pre-Spanish contact.
This time period represents the Californias native population pre-Spanish contact. -
7000 BCE
Major stock families.
Yurok and Wiyot people are dated to be in California around 7000 YBP, though there is still conterversy surrounding how early they arrived. -
2500 BCE
Arrival of the Aztec in Southern California.
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1542
First contact with Spanish
As the Spanish arrived in California, Native life drastically changed -
Period: 1542 to
Spanish arrive to California and have contact with natives
This time period represents the Spanish impact on California and the native population through the introduction of Christianity and the mission system and what came from that. -
Mission system
21 missions are established throughout the coastal strip of California from 1769-1823. This marked the beginning of the mission system that affected thousands of native Californian tribes. -
Mission established in San Diego de Alcalá
This was the first mission to be established by Father Junipero Cerra -
Diseases outbreak at Mission San Gabriel
Various diseases broke out between the years 1770-1834. Included, but not limited to measles, influenze, diptheria, and STDs. -
Mission established in San Carlos
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Mission established in San Antonio de Padua
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Mission established in San Gabriel
This was the founding mission. -
Presidio is established.
Jose Francisco Ortega established Presidio. This is established to facilitate establishment of the missions. -
Indian Revolt at San Gabriel Mission
Toypurina, along with members of the Tongva tribe attacked the Spanish but the Spanish counterattacked. -
Mission Santa Barbra
Mission Santa Barbra is founded. Missionaries begin to use Mexican beads as a form of economy. This disrupts Chumash economy and in turn forced the Chumash to convert to Catholicism. -
The Nationality Act of 1790
Prevented Chinese immigrants from obtaining U.S. citizenship before the 1900s. -
Effects of Spanish contact
Throughout the 1800s, as a result of Spanish contact California's biodiversity, livestock, water supply, and native plant and animal species decreases. -
Mission instability
Tensions between natives and the Spanish in the mission rise throughout the 1820s. -
Beginning of free trade
Prior to 1821 trade revolved around the missions and Spanish mercantilism. After 1821, the Mexican free trade was introduced. the Economic power of missions weakens -
Agustin Fernandez travels to California
Advertises impending emancipation and prohibition on corporeal punishment -
Mission established in San Francisco Solano
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Chumash war ends
Following the war, only a few hundred Chumash remain in Yokut territory. -
Santa Ynez
Sacking of Santa Ynez spread war to other missions in Chumash area -
Chumash revolt
Chumash revolt against the missionaries and the Spanish devastating the Mexican frontier. Led to militarization of the coastal mission strip. Rise of anti-Indian sentiment -
Period: to
Estanislao revolt
Estanislao revolt against the missionaries and the Spanish devastating the Mexican frontier. Led to militarization of the coastal mission strip. Rise of anti-Indian sentiment -
Mission secularization
California missions begin secularization process. Introduced hide and tallow trade. Indian slave trade grew. -
Neophytes return to California
During this time, Neophytes return to northern California and migrate to southern California. Beginning accounts of Indian drunkenness and criminality. -
Population in California
At this time, there are about 8,000 Californios, about 1,300 foreigners, and about 160,000 tribal people. This represents the diversity we still see in present day California. -
Period: to
Extermination
Between these years, 130 massacres took place. 16,000-100,000 Indians are massacred by Private Militias -
San Fransisco is established
At the beginning of the Gold Rush, San Fransisco had 1,000 residents. By 1849, it grew to 25,000 residents. By 1852, it grew to 35,000 residents. -
Extermination
Frémont kills 1000 Wintun tribal members as they're gathered near the Sacramento River. He becomes a U.S. Senator from California in 1850 -
Phase 2 of the Gold Rush
In the Summer and Fall, miners from Latin America, China, and Hawaiian laborers come to Northern California for the gold rush -
The Rush
Locals rush to gold regions in the Spring time. Cities are left basically empty. -
Gold is Discovered in California
Gold is found on Sutter's Mill in American River, Coloma by James Marshall -
Period: to
California Gold Rush Era
This time period represents the California Gold Rush and how California's population changed with the finding of gold in San Fransisco. -
First Governor
Peter Burnett was elected as California's first governor from 1849-1851 -
Period: to
Removal Plan
Frémont formulates a removal plan for Indians. Would place Indias into sub-regions. This plan never carried out, law was not passed. -
Period: to
Phase 3 of the Gold Rush
National and International less experienced miners from China and Europe, but most from different parts of the U.S., come to Northern California for the Gold Rush.
Consequences for American Merchant Fleet and for San Francisco. -
Act for the Government and Protection of Indians
Criminalized (penalties) loitering, specifically towards orphans and the unemployed. Some were indentured, thousands were enslaved. -
Period: to
Statehood
California becomes a state. At this time, there is a lot of anti-Chinese hate and native massacres. The transcontinental railroad begins its construction -
California becomes a state
California becomes the 31st state to join the United States -
Negotiations for "Rancheria" system
The Federal Indian Commission negotiates a "Rancheria" system with 100 tribal and sub-tribal representatives. An eighth of the land mass of the state would be reserved for Indian land, so Californians and U.S. senate rejected the plan. -
Indian hunts
Sanctioned Indian Hunts by Governor Peter Burnett. $1.1M paid out to "militia" members (paid per scalp or $5 per head) -
Peace Commission
E.F. Beale sets up 7 Indian reservations under Federal authority, each were 20 thousand each. Government didn't acknowledge Indian land ownership, no treaties were made, Indians were not involved in the process. Indians were "invited" to come in, much like they were with the missions. -
Depopulation
Cities become depopulated from people moving out of cities in California into different states looking for minerals. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866
Another law that prevented Chinese immigrants from obtaining U.S. citizenship before the 1900s. -
Transcontinental Railroad
Altered the destiny of America by becoming the first railroad that connected the eastern and western United States. But it changed the way of living for those who worked on it, mostly Chinese immigrants. -
Los Angeles Massacre
Whites men massacre (lynch) about two dozen Chinese people to scare them out of Los Angeles -
Period: to
Modoc War
One Indian organized resistance in response to their treatment and displacement. -
First cable cars in San Fransisco
Public transportation system was made possible by cable cars. Allowed residents to travel to work by train, people could work further from their homes. -
Period: to
National Depression
After the central pacific transcontinental railroad was completed a national depression hit. -
Sandlot rallies
These marches, mostly Irish males. in Chinatown targeted Chinese immigrants and demanded they be expelled. Chinatown was damaged and some Chinese were killed. -
Period: to
Workingmen's Party of California emerges
Emergence of the political party in California that fueled anti-Chinese and anti-Big Four speech and marches. -
State Constitution rewritten
The Constitution is rewritten to strip Chinese of their right to become citizens, demanded all immigration from China to stop, and national immigration reform. -
Kindergarten movement
Kindergarten is brought to California by Kate Douglas Smith. She opened the first free Kindergarten in San Fransisco. Kindergarten was used an an early attempt to Americanize small children -
San Fransisco becomes a city of immigrants
By the 1880s, about 50% of San Fransisco are immigrants and about 30% have at least one immigrant parent. Is the most ethnically diverse city in the West in the 19th century. -
Emergence of Chinatown
In the late 1880s, Chinatown emerges. Most Chinese people were not allowed to live throughout San Fransisco, so they were restricted to live within the boundaries of Chinatown. It was safe for Chinese people to live here. "Red light" districts were prominent. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
The only U.S. law that targeted a specific racial group from coming to the U.S. Over 61 years, this law kept laborers from coming to the U.S, kept them from voting, becoming citizens and owning property. -
Massacre at Wounded Knee
Massacre between the U.S. military and Tribal members as a result of the Ghost Dance religious ceremony. -
Chinese Americans are denied entry in San Fransisco
Wong Kim Ark, Chinese American born from Chinese immigrants, was denied re-entry despite being let in prior. This was a decision made by anti-Chinese sentiment. -
Birthright Citizenship
After years of fighting this case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, and anyone else born on U.S. soil was a U.S. Citizen- despite parents country of origin -
Indian Survival
By the 1900s, about 6,500 Indians live on tribal lands and about 16-20K live in the whole state following displacement and massacres. -
San Fransisco earthquake
A 7.9 earthquake struck San Fransisco. Though there was damage from the earthquake, most came from a fire that ripped through the city. The damage affected so many immigrant communities, like Chinatown. -
Women's Suffrage
In California, women are granted the right to vote in 1911, this is granted nationally in 1920. -
Home Teacher Act
Home Teacher Act is passed as one of the first formal Americanization programs in the U.S. -
Child Labor Ban
Bans any child under the age of 14 from working in all industries expect for agriculture. -
Immigration Act
Stopped all immigration from Japan -
The Great Depression
As the stock market crashes, Californian is sent into a depression where there is no work available for people. -
The Dust Bowl
A catastrophic dust storm hits Oklahoma as a result of man-made ecological disaster. Forces millions of people to migrate out of Oklahoma and into California and the surrounding states. -
Period: to
The Great Depression and WWII
This period represents the effect of The Great Depression hits as millions of Americans are left without work. Following WWII, there is a growth in population and economy as agriculture and industrial jobs became more readily available. -
Office of Naval Intelligence begins to collect lists of potentially disloyal Japanese Americans.
Office of Naval Intelligence begins to collect lists of potentially disloyal Japanese Americans, especially those born in Japan and immigrated to the U.S. Ended in calling for Internment -
Act for the Government and Protection of Indians is Repealed
The 13th Amendment repealed the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians. -
Japanese Internment
California legislature civic organizations, and newspapers called for internment of people of Japanese decent -
EO 9066
Executive order 9066- called for the removal of all people of Japanese decent on the West Coast. -
Period: to
The Bracero Program
The U.S. and Mexican governments allowed Mexican workers to legally come into the U.S. to work for up to 6 months. By the end of the Bracero program, there was 4.5 million Mexican nationals that had a part of it. -
Zoot Suit Riots
White sailors attacked young Latino men in Los Angeles in a racial . 500 young Latinos were arrested, but no sailors were arrested. -
Port Chicago Disaster
An explosion goes off whole loading ammunition and bombs. About 320 were killed and about 400 were injured. There had already been a history of unsafe codi -
Mendez v Westminster
Gonzalo Mendez sues schools in West Minster after his children are denied enrollment at a school, because they were Mexican. Sets the stage for Brown v Broad of Education which gets rid of the idea of separate vs equal idea in schools -
Period: to
Shift in population
During this time, most new residents are native-born Americans (white, black, latinos) from other states. -
U.S. Indian Lands Commissions
Natives begin to demand return of their lands -
Indian "Protective" laws end
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Period: to
Increasing population
California's population triples from 10-30 million. -
Modern Indian Activism
Indians demand rights like fishing rights. -
Period: to
The real California
This period represents a shift for California's minorities. There is a reality check for the millions of people who live in California, especially minorities. -
Delano Grape Strike
Mexican farm workers marched for union recognition and for a livable pay scale. -
Period: to
Watts Riots
The riots went of for 6 days; 34 people died, 1000 injured, 4000 arrested. The root of the riots seemed to be high unemployment, poor housing, and inadequate schools. Yet, little to nothing was done to address the inequalities -
King Riots
In 1991, Rodney King had been beaten by four police officers following a high-speed chase. The four police officers were were charged with excessive use of force, but were found not guilty. Within hours of the verdicts being read, riots around LA began. -
Period: to
Present day California
This period represents present day California. I picked to start in the 2000 to show current event that have made current Californian history. -
Passing of former President Ronald Regan
Former President Ronald Regan died aged 88. He died in his Los Angeles home. -
Period: to
Governor Gavin Newsom is elected
Governor Gavin Newsom is first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023. He is out current governor -
Formal Apology
Governor Gavin Newsom formally apologizes for the massacres between 1846-1873 -
COVID-19
COVID-19 causes state of emergency lockdowns throughout the country. This changes the way of life for everyone. -
Recall election is held
Governor Newsom beats recall election in 2021.