california glog

California's Road to Statehood

The California state flag was adopted in 1911. It was originally used in the revolt against the Mexican garrison in Sonoma on June 14, 1846. The grizzly bear was placed on the flag to symbolize great strength and the star was a reference to the lone star of Texas.

Time Line

1769-1833

Mission Period

The Spanish king wanted permanent settlements in his territory of the New World called Alta California. The creation of the California missions was both political and religious. The Spanish government feared Russian influence entering California from Fort Ross and thier belief in Catholicism urged them to convert the indigenous population.

The discovery of gold in Northern California transformed the territory by bringing a new economy and society as about half a million people a year came to California to mine for gold. An Americanized California was the end result of the gold rush.

The 1844 presidential election of Polk led to territorial disputes with Mexico over the annextion of Texas and the border between the two nations. The belief in "manifest destiny" influenced the U.S.A. federal government to desire the North American contient to the Pacific Ocean.

1810-21

The Mexican War of Independence began on September 16, 1810 and ended on September 27, 1821.

1846-48

Mexican American War began on April 25, 1846 and ended on February 2, 1848.

1848

1850

Gold was discovered at Sutter's mill in Coloma.

California becomes the 51st state in the union.

1535

California was first explored by the Spanish.

The Spanish had created a political and social structure that favored the Spanish population living in Mexico. The oppressive rule of the Spanish led to the Mexican War of Indpendence.

The earliest Californians were the adventurous Asians who traveled to the Americas viva the Bering Strait to Alaska thousands of years ago. They became known as Native Americans and it is estimated that there were about 300,000 Native Americans living in Calfornia before the arrival of the Europeans.