
California’s dramatic and varied physical environment has played a strong role in the state’s settlement. Most of the state’s population today is crowded into a small part of its territory constricted by expanses of rugged topography and a widespread lack of water. Who were the early settlers in California?
Full Answer
How did early California change with each group of settlers?
Early California evolved and changed with each new group of settlers. These images depict the developing interconnectedness of California's early cultures. They also underscore the importance of movement and later settlement of peoples in California.
How did the Spanish colonize Alta California?
Spanish colonization of "Alta California" began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769. With the expedition was Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan Father who would have a tremendous influence in the colonization of California through the establishment of missions.
Who settled California in the late 18th century?
Overview. In the late 18th century, the Spanish in California were joined by other European groups. Russian settlements in northern California (shown in the two images of Fort Ross) connected Russia to its other sea otter trade routes, were places to grow food for their Alaskan settlements, and served as bases for trade with Californians.
What is the cultural history of California?
California has always been a place of cultural interaction. Early California evolved and changed with each new group of settlers. These images depict the developing interconnectedness of California's early cultures. California has always been a place of cultural interaction. Early California evolved and changed with each new group of settlers.

What role did geography play in the settlement of California?
What role did geography play in the settlement of California? ( Hint: did the rocky coastlines, rugged mountains, and deserts cause any problems?) California was hard to get to. The rocky coastlines made it hard for explorer ships to reach land. People had to climb steep rugged mountains in search of the coast.
What led to the settlement of California?
Settlement. Pressure for settlement came from missionaries eager to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, from the intrusion of Russian and British traders, primarily in search of sea otter pelts, and from the quest for the Northwest Passage across the North American continent.
What are geographic features of California?
The Sierra Nevada, the fertile farmlands of the Central Valley, and the arid Mojave Desert of the south are some of the major geographic features of this U.S. state. It is home to some of the world's most exceptional trees: the tallest (coast redwood), most massive (Giant Sequoia), and oldest (bristlecone pine).
Where did early people settle in California?
Spanish colonization of "Alta California" began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769.
How did early people live in California?
2:124:38How did early people live in California - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe Hupa lived in forests even farther north. They hunted the elk and deer that filled the forestsMoreThe Hupa lived in forests even farther north. They hunted the elk and deer that filled the forests and fished. They also gathered acorns which was an important part of many California Indians diets.
When did the first settlers come to California?
The Portolá land expedition arrived at the site of present-day San Diego on June 29, 1769, where it established the Presidio of San Diego and annexed the adjacent Kumeyaay village of Kosa'aay, making San Diego the first European settlement in the present state of California.
What is the geographical location of California?
California is the third largest state in the United States, bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the west and bordered by Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona; it shares a border with Mexico in the south. The United States acquired the area from Mexico in 1848, with generally the same boundary as California today.
What are 3 historical facts about California?
Timeline1542 - Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is the first European to visit the coast of California.1579 - Sir Francis Drake lands on the coast of California and claims it for Great Britain.1769 - The Spanish begin to build missions. ... 1781 - The city of Los Angeles is established.More items...
Was California originally a desert?
New research suggests that a desert region in the western U.S. – including Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and parts of California — was a rather damp setting until approximately 8,200 years ago, when the region began to dry out, eventually assuming the arid environments we see today.
What was the most important type of settlement in Mexican California?
Huge cattle ranches, or ranchos, emerged as the dominant institutions of Mexican California. Traders and settlers from the United States began to arrive, harbingers of the great changes that would sweep California during the Mexican American War of 1846-1848.
What was California originally called?
What is now the state of California was called Alta California (upper California).
What happened in California in the 1800s?
After the Mexican–American War of 1846–48, Mexico was forced to relinquish any claim to California to the United States. The California Gold Rush of 1848–1855 attracted hundreds of thousands of ambitious young people from around the world. Only a few men struck it rich, and many returned home disappointed.
What was the most important type of settlement in Mexican California?
Huge cattle ranches, or ranchos, emerged as the dominant institutions of Mexican California. Traders and settlers from the United States began to arrive, harbingers of the great changes that would sweep California during the Mexican American War of 1846-1848.
Why did Americans want to make California part of United States?
With the Gold Rush came a huge increase in population and a pressing need for civil government. In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850.
How did the Spanish get to California?
Europeans' contact with California began in the mid 1530s when Cortez's men ventured to Baja California. Not until 1542 did Spaniards sail north to Alta California, and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's expedition that year made landings as far north as modern Santa Barbara.
What was California before it became state?
California became a State as a result of the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848. A massive 525,000 square miles of territory above Mexico was ceded to the victorious United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago on February 2, 1848 (the US also paid Mexico $15 million).
What were the Spanish and Californians doing in the late 18th century?
Russian settlements in northern California (shown in the two images of Fort Ross) connected Russia to its other sea otter trade routes, were places to grow food for their Alaskan settlements, and served as bases for trade with Californians. Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the French controlled much of what would border both Spanish territory on the West Coast and the newly formed United States to the east. The ink drawing shows a French diplomat being received at Mission Carmel in 1786.
What did the early European images of California show?
Early European images of California show these settlers' interest in Native Americans already inhabiting the area. The engraving of Captain Rogers' men being received by Native American men on the shores of California in the early 1800s depicts the two...
What did the French control before the Louisiana Purchase?
Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the French controlled much of what would border both Spanish territory on the West Coast and the newly formed United States to the east. The ink drawing shows a French diplomat being received at Mission Carmel in 1786.
Where is the first known print taken on the site of San Francisco?
Vue du Presidio de San Francisco [ca. 1815] Yerba Buena (now San Francisco) in the Spring of 1837. This is the first known print taken on the site. View of San Francisco [California]: taken from the western hill at the foot of Telegraph Hill, looking toward Rincon Point and Mission Valley.
Is California a place of cultural interaction?
California has always been a place of cultural interaction. Early California evolved and changed with each new group of settlers. These images depict the developing interconnectedness of California's early cultures.
Who were the first Europeans to settle in California?
The most expansive European colonizations efforts were made by the Spanish. On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his crew entered San Diego Bay--the first Europeans to visit California. The land they named "Alta California" was occupied by diverse groups of native people who had inhabited the land for thousands of years. Spanish colonization of "Alta California" began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769. With the expedition was Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan Father who would have a tremendous influence in the colonization of California through the establishment of missions. At San Diego, Serra founded the first of 21 Spanish missions that extend along the California coast. In October of the same year, a detachment of the expedition saw San Francisco Bay.
When did the Spanish colonize California?
Spanish colonization of "Alta California" began when the Presidio at San Diego, the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast, was established in 1769. With the expedition was Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan Father who would have a tremendous influence in the colonization of California through the establishment of missions.
What was the significance of Colombus' voyages to the New World?
Colombus' voyages to the "New World" were just the beginning of the intermingling of peoples and cultures that formed our nation; this rich and varied history is reflected in the prehistoric and historic sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts found throughout the land. The National Register of Historic Places can guide you ...
Why were the presidios important?
The presidios also served to reinforce Spanish control over the native people. Presidios were established at San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Francisco. In 1821 Mexico gained independence from Spain and "Alta California" became a Mexican province rather than a Spanish colony.
Answer
did geography affect early settlement in? The topography of an area was important for early human settlement. Farmers preferred to settle in flat, open areas such as plains and valleys. Large, flat spaces gave farmers room to plant crops. Additionally, the rich soil in coastal plains and river valleys was ideal for growing these crops.
Answer
The geography of an area was important for early human settlement. Farmers preferred to settle in flat, open areas such as plains and valleys. Large, flat spaces gave farmers room to plant crops. Additionally, the rich soil in coastal plains and river valleys was ideal for growing these crops.
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