Question

Describe and discuss the Spanish/Mexican view towards the province of California: why didn’t the area develop under Spanish rule? What obstacles retarded its settlement?

Answer 1

Answer.

In the colonial history of the Americas, The most important colonial power, Spain, focused attention on its imperial centers in Mexico and Peru. The Spanish claims to all lands touching the Pacific Ocean (including California) were unchallenged by any other European power. Thus, Spain sent an exploring party sailing along the California coastline and the Spanish believed that California was an economically viable land that could offer an abundance of gold and other precious resources.

However, the Spanish interest in California soon faced many challenges. The most prominent reason for the loss of Spanish hold in California was the threat of incursion by Russian fur traders and potentially settlers, coming down from Alaska in 1765. Spain, under King Charles III, felt development of more northern installations was necessary. The Spanish Empire was engaged in the political aftermath of the Seven Years' War, and colonial priorities in far away California were minimal concern.

The Spanish encouraged settlement with large land grants called ranchos, where cattle and sheep were raised. in addition, the missionary church was employed by the Spanish crown in an attempt to consolidate its colonial territories. However, None of these missions were completely self-supporting, and they depended on a continued financial support from the Crown.

Later, The victory in the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1821 marked the beginning of Mexican rule in California. Mexicans had lived in California since late 1700's and but were sparsely settled on far-flung ranchos. A few of them resided in towns (pueblos) that grew up near the former forts (presidios) and churches (missions). The Mexican citizens living in California called Californios became accustomed to running local governments without interference from a central authority, they developed an inclination towards self-government since they felt frustrated about their lack of representation in the governing body in faraway Mexico. Influenced by the Enlightenment philosophers that inspired the Yankee revolutionaries, the Californios favored a republican government but one which was based on an aristocratic, feudal-style agricultural economy that valued honor, trust, and trade without money.