Californios before the Gold Rush
Californios were Spanish-speaking people from Spain or Mexico who chose to settle in California. Ever since 1769, they had been migrating into California. Once they arrived, they typically established successful businesses, and found that their lives improved. One group of Californios that prospered in California was Spanish priests. In fact, Spanish priests were once considered the most powerful group in California. They often built missions, or Catholic churches, along the coast of California in an effort to convert others to Christianity. On the land surrounding these missions, the Californios lived in small towns, in which they led very pleasant lives. Spanish soldiers also often lived in this area, and ensured that the Californios did not lose their land.
However, between 1810 and 1821, the Mexican War of Independence occurred between Mexico and Spain, and it resulted in Mexico gaining freedom from Spain. This war led a great deal of Californios to split away from the religious control of the Spanish priests. Through doing this, the Californios discovered that their lives improved even more. In fact, in 1834, the Mexican government gained control of the land that the Spanish priests had been controlling, and gave enormous pieces of it to many Californios. This land was then used for raising cattle and making wine, and was the reason that the Californios were able to prosper so greatly. Vincent Peralta is an example of a successful Californio. He owned about 19,000 acres of land, which he used to raised cattle, illustrating the success of the Californios prior to the Gold Rush.
Between 1846 and 1848, the Mexican War occurred between the United States and Mexico. This war resulted in California becoming part of the United States, rather than Mexico, and thus, the Californios were now United States citizens. The Californios found that, yet again, their lives were greatly improved. Due to their new citizenship, the Californios were guaranteed rights to the land that they had been given by the Mexican Government.In general, events such as the Mexican War of Independence and the Mexican War helped Californios to live extremely pleasant, successful lives prior to the Gold Rush.
Between 1846 and 1848, the Mexican War occurred between the United States and Mexico. This war resulted in California becoming part of the United States, rather than Mexico, and thus, the Californios were now United States citizens. The Californios found that, yet again, their lives were greatly improved. Due to their new citizenship, the Californios were guaranteed rights to the land that they had been given by the Mexican Government.In general, events such as the Mexican War of Independence and the Mexican War helped Californios to live extremely pleasant, successful lives prior to the Gold Rush.