The Mexican Era | California History [ep.3]

For a playlist of the entire History of California series: • The History of California
This is part 3 of the History of California. Here we're looking at the Mexican Era from 1821-1846, and a bit beginning with 1769.
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references:
Bancroft, Hubert Howe. The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft. 39 Vols. San Francisco, Calif.: The History Company, 1890. en.wikipedia.o...
Deverell, William. Whitewashed Adobe: The Rise of Los Angeles and the Remaking of its Mexican Past. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004. amzn.to/2u75NKd
Hackel, Steven. Children of Coyote, Missionaries of Saint Francis: Indian-Spanish Relations in Colonial California, 1769-1850. Chapel Hill, N.Car.: University of North Carolina Press, 2005. amzn.to/2urVVuq
Hall-Patton, Joseph. Pacifying Paradise: Violence and Vigilantism in San Luis Obispo. CA: Cal Poly, 2016. www.digitalcomm...
Hawgood, John. “The Pattern of Yankee Infiltration in Mexican Alta California.” Pacific Historical Review 27, no.1 (February 1958), 27-37.
Langum, David. Law and Community on the Mexican California Frontier: Anglo American Expatriates and the Clash of Legal Traditions, 1821-1846. San Diego, Cal.: Vanard Lithographers, 2006. amzn.to/2NNyofL
Sandos, James A. Converting California: Indians and Franciscans in the Missions, 1769-1836. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2004. amzn.to/2upbVxh
Stenberg, Richard. “Polk and Fremont.” Pacific Historical Review 7, no.3 (September 1938), 211-227.
Tays, George. “Fremont Had No Secret Instructions.” Pacific Historical Review 9, no.2 (June 1940), 157-171.
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Special thanks to Mark Hall-Patton for proofreading this script
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Wiki:
Alta California (English: Upper California), founded in 1769 by Gaspar de Portolà, was a polity of New Spain and after the Mexican War of Independence in 1822, a territory of Mexico. The region included all of the modern states of California, Nevada, and Utah, and parts of Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Neither Spain nor Mexico ever colonized the area beyond the southern and central coastal area of present-day California, so they never exerted any effective control north of the Sonoma area, or east of the California Coast Ranges. Most interior areas such as the Central Valley and the deserts of California remained in de facto possession of indigenous peoples until later in the Mexican era when more inland land grants were made, and especially after 1841 when overland immigrants from the United States began to settle inland areas.
Large areas east of the Sierra Nevada and San Gabriel Mountains were claimed to be part of Alta California, but were never colonized. To the southeast, beyond the deserts and the Colorado River, lay the Spanish settlements in Arizona.[notes 1][notes 2]
Alta California ceased to exist as an administrative division separate from Baja California in 1836, when the Siete Leyes constitutional reforms in Mexico re-established Las Californias as a unified department. The areas formerly comprising Alta California were ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. Two years later, California joined the union as the 31st state. Other parts of Alta California became all or part of the later U.S. states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.
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Hashtags: #History #California #Mexican #AltaCalifornia #Alvarado #FurTrade #PioPico

[@Jalu3]

A video about the descendants of the orginal Spanish/Mexican Californios would make a great supplement to this series

[@daniellozada3408]

Almost every Mexican is descendent of the Spaniards so just look around you

[@zeanzern4396]

@@daniellozada3408 true.

[@cuahtemoc7642]

@@ericklizarraga3443 In Mexico even a white person with blue eyes can have a quarter indigenous DNA. People forget that the conquistadors 1000 allied with 10,000 + Native allies to fight the Mexicas. Meaning they dint wipe out every tribe.

[@sp.8727]

@@ericklizarraga3443 African American? What are you talking about? In the Spanish and Mexican periods the territories of Baja and Alta California did not have many African descendants or slaves, they were much more prevalent in places like the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela. In fact most of the African slaves historically from the area were brought over by American slave-owning settlers. If you're talking about a modern perspective of you being "considered African American" completely ignores the racism and prejudiced which was more commonly directed to those of indigenous background in those regions.

[@xtraprebel6274]

@@sp.8727 they weren't African descent because those people were not from Africa.

[@devs.4254]

Figueroa, Alvarado, Pico....Anyone who has lived or worked in central Los Angeles know these street names very well, but have NO CLUE about their history. Pico blvd extends all the way to the rich white suburbs of West Los Angeles. It's great that you are bringing these names up again, as most people in this state have no idea about them.

[@alexandergrande8310]

Dev S. Um not really there's a bunch of schools named after Mr Pio Pico all around Cali 😂

[@calilovely8650]

I am the 6th grand daughter of Jose Delores Pico & I have like 1000 questions. May I email you.

[@adrianveresp1673]

whats your ancestry

[@yacobz]

Born and raised in Los Angeles here. Sad to say, I had ZERO idea about my state's history. Even went through the UC system. Sad part is, I actually enjoy history. I'm really not sure why we were never taught this in school.

[@gerrycovarrubias8226]

Grew up and born in pico union

[@devs.4254]

good book related to California culture in this period: A Yankee In Mexican California. an American sailor going up and down the coast of California in the early 1840s.

[@CynicalHistorian]

That is from _2 Years Before the Mast_, a very interesting representation of Alta California. Having studied the Dana family in Nipomo (CA), there is another good book worth looking up for first hand information on this period along the same vein: _The Blond Ranchero_ by Juan Francisco Dana

[@devs.4254]

Interesting, I found A Yankee in Mexican California as a separate (though notably small) book on its own. Thanks for the recommendations, I enjoy learning about my home state.

[@firstroundboxing1138]

@@devs.4254 Thank you both for the book recommendations

[@adrianveresp1673]

@@devs.4254 What's your ancestry

[@moanacleaver7972]

LAST

[@melaninqueen2413]

My 3rd great grandmother was a child during the latter part of the Mexican Rule and the Gold Rush of California. She was around the age of 9. She was a Native woman part of the Shasta tribe of Northern California. They were pretty much isolated until the mid and late 1800s. She died at the age of 100 and is buried in a cemetery with her daughter, my 2x great grandmother, and her son. Still doing more research, and hoping to find out more :)

[@KillerAndMX]

That means that your Great Grandmother was Mexican

[@tonycar831]

@@KillerAndMXno his grandmother was Native American, the natives resisted colonialism. Plus Mexico only governed the land for 15 yrs, most of the ppl who identified as Mexican were in present day New Mexico and Texas no Alta California

[@rodrigodiaz9472]

I'm proud of my Spanish ancestry. The Spanish language. The Spanish missions. We are still here going strong. Viva Cristo Rey ✝️

[@Shifty_]

I'm having a really good time with this, thanks for going so in depth. It was hard to find quality content on the subject in video form but this is just the right amount of detail to be accessible but thorough

[@adamwolfs8580]

2:49 Snoop Dogg's greatgreatgrandfather!

[@JooJooShrimp]

LMAO

[@esnstrider46]

Mi Abuela grew up on a Ranchera in Santa Monica and then we lived in Montebello. I’m a proud Californian and Mexican American

[@jtm726]

Amazing to learn California history. Even though I am a first generation Californian, my family had been in the U.S/Texas for 6 generations (1830's) they immigrated from Tamaulipas and Coahuila.

[@cyberpilate]

Thank you so much for sharing the epic battle between Alvarado and Carillo! As a long time resident of Santa Barbara, the idea we don't celebrate such an epic victory makes no sense. =D

[@Bootes_Void]

Washington DC and New York are farther away from California than Mexico City.

[@yachtboy6756]

Mexican rule of California was so short compared to that of Spain (200+ years) and the United States (1850-today.)

[@CynicalHistorian]

Spanish rule of california was less than a century. began with 1769 and ended in 1822

[@conquistadordeamerica124]

No. In the spring of 1535, Hernán Cortés set sail for an island he believed to be “rich in pearls and gold” and “populated by women, without a single mate.” When the conquistador made landfall on May 3 with a group of settlers, he established the town of Santa Cruz and set about searching for his spoils. As it turned out, Cortés was not on an island. Instead, he had landed on the peninsula we know today as Baja California and, in the process, began the colonization of California - more than 250 years before the founding of San Diego in 1769. The first recorded planting of a vineyard was probably by the Spanish Jesuit Missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino at Misión San Bruno in Baja California in 1683 implanting the first variety named "Misionéro".

[@hkl8264]

The explorations/expeditions were much earlier and more than Lewis and Clark. Pico was well aware of the Anglo invasion.

[@christopherperez423]

Yes, (but) it belonged to New Spain that was basically Mexico. Its capital was Mexico City and the viceroy lived in Mexico. Almost everyone in Mexico has Spanish ancestors.

[@christopherperez423]

@High speed Driver that’s not true. The percentage of people who are mestizo in Mexico is 93%

[@prettygonzo4379]

So glad I found your series and other uploads. Thanks for the work you put into your videos. I really like what I've seen so far.

[@Emdubyu]

I'm truly enjoying your succinct coverage of this complicated time and place! Thank you.

[@bonemo7783]

There was also the Stanislaus rebellion during this period led by Chief Estanislao, who was a Yokut neophyte from mission San Jose. He lead an army of over 2 thousand warriors from various tribes and even some mountain men. They raided settlements along the Stanislaus river (renamed after him). General Vallejo sent 2 expeditions to put down the rebellion, the first was wiped out, and the second laid siege to Estanislao’s fort with cannons on the Stanislaus-San Joaquin river confluence. When the soldiers finally breached the fort the soldiers committed atrocities against the women and children who were hiding there. According to lore Zorro was actually inspired by Estanislao who allegedly would carve an S with his sword on ground and on the sides of buildings where he raided.

[@donyenko10]

Algún día volverá a México.

[@emmanuelnavarro7268]

Ya no falta mucho por donde quiera hay hijos de mexicanos

[@emmanuelg40historytalk74]

Y para que hacerlo Mexico de nuevo?

[@brandrz8374]

como Antofagasta a bolivia

[@dtownblastinsalvi62]

Emmanuel Navarro Hijos mexicanos y tambien ya hijos de centro america soy Salvadoreño y los ayudare ser California, Nuevo Mexico, Arizona y Tejas de Mexico otraves.

[@marianosanchez3970]

Eso es como decir que algún día México volverá a España, de donde no debió salir.

[@marjoriebukowski8448]

I love the series so far! I'm a fourth grade teacher in California and it helps me understand the history of California better! I think your videos could totally be used as teaching videos for fourth graders, except once and while there might be a scene that is questionable to show the kids (e.g., talk of sexually transmitted disease/photos). Thanks for putting this together! I didn't realize that Spain had started the land grant practice prior to the Mexican War for Independence.

[@dennis771]

Hope Mexico can see what their version of California looks like

[@xxSWORD]

Still builded by Mexico because of the foods and most of mexican-americans are there and almost everywhere

[@elevenbravo584]

Amazing how were the immigrants and we were the only people that were already here and didn't need a boat or plane to get here. They call that manifest destiny

[@jorgealvarado2471]

We do that’s why we’re taking back block by block.👍🏽

[@Kukowatauva]

@@elevenbravo584 It's called usurpation of territory

[@dennis771]

@@jorgealvarado2471 haha funny, taking what back? You confused

[@nhmooytis7058]

I highly recommend all of Kevin Starr’s books on California history. I used to live in the SF Bay Area and read them all.

[@bronydoc1220]

we ain't got to show you no stricken badges

[@coyotehernandez2161]

Frank Sherwood. lol it was funny

[@Cybernaut551]

I love this video, thank you! The Mexican Era is a Grimm Tale to tell.

[@bearnecessity3728]

These are good videos. Thanks for the education.

[@adobotravels]

How long does it take to drive from the northernmost part of California to the southernmost Baja California Sur?

[@varana]

Funnily enough, "alcalde" does have Arab origins (from al-qadi instead of al-qa'ida, though). :D

[@somethinguncreative]

Yes. A lot of words and names in California come from the Arabic language. The name of the state itself might also also have roots in Arabic. It was named after the character of Queen Calafia from a Spanish adventure story, whose name might come from the word Caliph.

[@mikehungcho]

Most of the Spanish people who settle Central México and later southwest usa. Come from the place call Andalusia in the south of Spain 🇪🇸. Which had over 1000 Arabic influence words.

[@BountyFlamor]

In the video on the Russian civil war intervention, you said Russian America reached to what is now Washington. But here the farthest Russian outpost is near San Francisco.

[@CynicalHistorian]

+BountyFlamor Fort Ross was quite exceptional, and was within Spanish/Mexican claims as negotiated by treaty. The Spanish set up a fort in Vancouver island, but that too was negotiated away

[@illsayitsinceno-oneelsewil2721]

Great series. I grew up in Huntington Beach. Do a doc on that area would be appreciated.

[@antonytevs2377]

Lovin the new series

[@JackClockerinos]

Ah, the time period where my favorite superhero came from!

[@CynicalHistorian]

I never thought of Zorro as a superhero. Does that mean the first superhero movie was in 1920?

[@JackClockerinos]

Well... he could be a superhero. He is pretty much one only more fun and without superpowers. The Zorro in the stories I write (shameless plug) gains powers one could possibly consider supernatural, but that's it.

[@KD-jb9pq]

Jack Clock Batman's creators was an inspired by Zorro. Joaquin Murrieta was the inspiration for Zorro.

[@leopoldo1853]

Jack Clock did you know he was for real. And zorros name was Joaquin Murrieta and he was from Sonora

[@bonemo7783]

@@KD-jb9pq Chief Estanislao who led the Stanislaus rebellion is also believed to be the inspiration for Zorro.

[@emmanuelake421]

It is incredible how many republics the Americans made within Mexico hahaha, Republic of Fredonia, Republic of Texas, Republic of California, Republic of Baja California and the Republic of Sonora, Americans were undoubtedly too influenced by manifest destiny, I think that in the end for me they would count as a usurpation of territory rather than a real "independence" since they were not Mexican, what do you think? your videos very good

[@brucepoole8552]

None of those areas were ever mexican particularly California was never really mexican

[@familiasosa6379]

@@brucepoole8552 it was spanish

[@robertoleeva985]

Mexicans should have built a great Wall. !

[@anony1984]

get off my land you illegal anglo

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

@@anony1984 Shut up.

[@eberbanega]

@@kellyw8017 thats a nice joke

[@adrianveresp1673]

@@nerthus4685 no your wrong that was in Tejas not in Alta California

[@DavidHernandez-lv5ho]

Kelly W bro we Mexicans have native blood it’s our land too..

[@lynnjacobs9885]

Many ranchers are still like feudal lords.

[@miguelr.2239]

Alcalde no, lo que dices fue "La Acordada" que en el instante que atrapaban a un bandido ahí mismo lo juzgaban.

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

I hope you haven't already done my readings of Richard Henry Dana that I was planning on...

[@aalihte3378]

extra points for adding "bloopers" :)

[@shiannkwon6046]

This is awesome thank you so much!!!

[@IanMcSlater]

Soo little of the REAL history of CA is shared with our children that we keep raising generations who have little to zero knowledge of the truth. Living in So Cal, walking the old river beds, coastlines and lagoons fascinates me but it also makes me sad. You realize that when the native residents lived here, they lived in such a beautiful place and although life was a struggle at times, they lived mostly in peace, with all the resources they needed to exist. Why would anyone leave this area and choose to move to the worst areas (the deserts and vacant land). They didnt leave voluntarily they were forced. Their lives were altered, terrorized, destroyed by people over greed. Thieves, kidnappers, abusers, violent criminals, and murderers spend years making life hell for natives and changing thier lives and futures forever. Yet, somehow, those disgusting criminals/murderers, are the ones with statues, buildings, streets, towns and much more named after them. Some followed by the words "founder" etc. My own hometown praises "early settlers" and their ranches and building skills, yet pay no attention to the fact there were people here living peacefully, who had names, had discovered everything already etc. This country is based of greed and murder, but dont pay attention to the real history, lets praise those with money and power! AMERICA!!!

[@jackb8393]

great series!

[@RandolphTheWhite1]

As someone who only eats hot dogs, I'm very jealous of the Ranchero's meat

[@quieteron1516]

Perfect era for a western film lawless and vast..

[@verbalkint5450]

Haaaaa! Love the clip from "Treasure of Sierra Madre"!

[@andresyepes367]

Nice bloopers section. And also, nice spanish pronountiation for a US person.

[@sybermatrix1609]

♥️CALIFORNIA

[@juancolorao9683]

Mexican land

[@jtm726]

It was Mexican land until the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed by both the U.S and Mexican Congress.

[@ConceitedCamelyt]

200 years later and it's still trying to secede while depending on federal subsidies and stimulus packages..

[@brucepoole8552]

Republican states, interesting enough, recieved the most welfare

[@jonransdell]

It's the exact opposite. California is one of the few states that contributes more money to the federal government than it receives from the federal government

[@brucepoole8552]

California is the worlds 7th largest economy, we support red states

[@mexico7721]

Hot take Mexican American union boys during the civil war sounds cool

[@Chu3505]

Ha,ha..that funny when Judge Dread said I’m the (Laws) graphically added into the video.

[@-.Lori.-]

Did Alta California ever have a flag? If so, are the ones that come up on google before the state got split up into multiple states or after?

[@kielbasa.sausage]

I live in jurupa valley, california and i have some history books about my area that i think you might find interesting. How can i send em to you please respond! Thank you

[@CynicalHistorian]

You can find my email contact in the channel description or DM me on twitter/discord

[@vmtz2001]

Californios were mostly descendants of Spanish. They were known as criollos

[@pacoramon9468]

Pío Pico is the name you give to your canary.

[@bluebarash2488]

If only they would have known there was gold all over.. I'm sad to admit it but the land belongs to who works it, although you did stole texas and then half of our land, that's a fact

[@NiteEy3]

Who stole ur land?

[@NiteEy3]

@@JooJooShrimp probly did go cry in ur safe space

[@hypocriticalsatire3966]

Except Americans swarmed into California while it was still Mexico's. There were many accounts of individuals getting their homes squatted and Mexicans getting lynched to show "America is here". It was not a peaceful takeover and just an example of greed. Mexico wouldn't be capable of sustaining California to the way it is now but perhaps America could've purchased California or had a proper war for it before the brutal invasion rather than being another example of aggressive tactics for manifest destiny.

[@ivetterodriguez1994]

It's incredibly awkward to be first-generation American and be told in class that we the US stole land as if *we* were the ones to do it. It's fine to acknowledge history but blame and guilt should be highly discouraged. Most of us born centuries later have no idea what our ancestors did nor could we make decisions for them.

[@EastLosAngeles1964classic]

@@hypocriticalsatire3966 yes that happened during the 1849 gold rush, I heard the whole city of Santa Monica belong to a Mexican Ranchero , and was removed forcibly out

[@thefourshowflip]

THATS where the blazing saddles reference came from.... Badges?? 😊

[@raulcarlos1615]

Lol, yes, The Treasure of Sierra Madre, with Humphrey Bogart,

[@hollyhandgrenade42]

Good stuff.

[@hammerpants54]

California > Texas ... as usual

[@FatrickAteman]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJOWoZ-IgLF_i6M

[@alvarojacome3191]

Revive Californio Culture

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

What does that flag California with the bear means ? Is that against or aproved guns use meaning?

[@anamariano2534]

my teacher loves history and she gives us segment 😘💕✌😍😉😅

[@djmade2ruleniggasj499]

:) thanks

[@pacoramon9468]

Alcalde is just mayor in spanish.

[@jimmyramone7396]

Vaqueros were first Spanish then later Mexican Cowboys. American Cowboys are based on Vaqueros ( Cow Workers ).

[@watchesandcoins.7738]

Hello, where can I find more information regarding the 1828 attempt to rejoin Spain? Thank you

[@CynicalHistorian]

John Hawgood, “The Pattern of Yankee Infiltration in Mexican Alta California,” _Pacific Historical Review_ 27, no.1 (February 1958): 27-37.

[@watchesandcoins.7738]

@@CynicalHistorian Thank you.

[@frente80]

Viva México carbones.

[@yesid17]

called an alqaeda lmao

[@OpieDogie]

Spanish land grants were only 4, the rest were Mexican

[@davidortega357]

And somecmexican land grants were given to couple of Native American leaders in northern Cali

[@mm-zd9ml]

"I am the law" lol

[@MesquiteTree0521]

The Virgin Tejano vs The Chad Californio.

[@johnstockwellmajorsmedleyb1214]

Not Anarchy Sir! It is called VIGILANTISM! I am positive they had no intention of dismantling illegitimate authority, direct action, or the fundamentals of non aggression sir!

[@jormoria]

WE STILL WANT IT BACK

[@Cybernaut551]

"Finding It though, the hard part is letting go." - Father Elijah, Fallout: New Vegas

[@carsonallen4719]

Smedley Butler HA. HA. No way. War is a racket. I read that book 30 years ago when I was 16 years old because of Jesse The Body Ventura

[@raggazo23]

This version is sooo American but I like it

[@georgeluna5845]

Alcalde means Mayor in Spain.

[@aliciajuarez5109]

2021 bb

[@nerister]

🙂

[@ajstudios3851]

Mexicans like me: haha we had California first Dinosaurs:

[@brucepoole8552]

Indians were first spain second mexico comes in third and lastly Americans own it

[@raphaelnoz8321]

please get your pronunciation right- would really help

[@dennis771]

Before 1840 California population was 14k and dirt poor

[@tippullthemnow9839]

Dennis Flo no it WASN'T. Many mexican ranchos.a beautiful educated mexican culture..f you nasty European PILGRAM.

[@samuelbeltran3058]

Dennis Flo 2018 Mississippi population is 5 million and dirt fucking poor.

[@yachtboy6756]

Sure, but now it is the world 5th largest economy....funded by insane debt, poorly performing schools, uncontrolled borders, high poverty rate, crazy high taxes and socialist leadership.

[@dennis771]

tip pullthemnow lol

[@Ktaurus26]

tip pullthemnow and Mexicans stole the land from natives just like Spain did. You all were occupying the land too.

[@sexcorpio6976]

Entouniou caruillou

[@RobloxNathangame]

1750

[@felipeperez2991]

🌵🇲🇽🇺🇸🌵

[@Thestreetsweeper84]

🎉❤

[@moanacleaver7972]

LAST

[@SpiritSoPoetic]

Enslaved black ppl were brought there at some point

[@michaeldukes4108]

Not in any great numbers and as of 1850, California was a free state. Not everything’s about slavery. Make space for the history of other people of color.

[@bigal1513]

@@michaeldukes4108 Yep

[@sergiopacheco2939]

No, if anything the union did anything it could to prevent the confederacy from spreading to the west. It was one of the reasons for the civil war. And Mexico had banned slavery after 1810. And whatever black slaves had been brought to new Spain, they would through centuries of mixing and reforms be assimilated into Mexican society. Vicente Guerrero, a revolutionary who fought for the Mexican independence, was part black

[@TeethToothman]

🛵

[@beforeyourimmigrants8471]

A lot of the ranch owners were African mix Pico was one of them.

[@Chino.12oo]

Lol

[@scottkeys8592]

why do you call yourself the cynical historian?

[@CynicalHistorian]

+Scott Keys did an diatribe on that

[@alexanderfroehlich900]

first

[@XlnickXNICXK]

this sucks

[@departmentofjustice2270]

Your R rolling is premature it sounds like a pirate. A 6 year old could do better. But arg matey I guess that comes with being a Historian -that posts Wikipedia as a credible source-. American or Englishman or British or whatever you want call yourself.