California History - the history of California
   
Vacation 2 USA

Travel & Tourism
 Calendars
 Camping
 Cookbooks
 Cycling
 Fishing
 Flights
 Golf
 Guide Books
 Hiking
 History
 Hotels
 Luggage
 Rental Cars
 Skiing
 Top Attractions
 US Flag
 Links

Cities
 Atlanta
 Baltimore
 Boston
 Chicago
 Dallas
 Detroit
 Denver
 Honolulu
 Houston
 Las Vegas
 Los Angeles
 Miami
 New Orleans
 New York
 Orlando
 Philadelphia
 Phoenix
 Pittsburgh
 San Antonio
 San Diego
 San Francisco
 Seattle
 Tampa
 Washington D.C.

Attractions & Resorts
 The Alamo
 Alcatraz
 Broadway Theatre
 Busch Gardens Africa
 Disneyland Resort
 Empire State Building
 Fisherman's Wharf
 Gateway Arch
 Golden Gate Bridge
 Grand Canyon
 Jefferson Memorial
 Kennedy Space Center
 Lincoln Memorial
 Mount Rushmore
 Napa Valley
 Niagara Falls
 Statue of Liberty
 Walt Disney World
 Washington Monument
 White House
 Yellowstone
 Yosemite
 More US Attractions

Destinations
 Alabama
 Alaska
 American Samoa
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 Delaware
 Florida
 Georgia
 Guam
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Illinois
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
 Maine
 Maryland
 Massachusetts
 Michigan
 Minnesota
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
 Nebraska
 Nevada
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
 New York
 North Carolina
 North Dakota
 Northern Mariana Islands
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
 Pennsylvania
 Puerto Rico
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Tennessee
 Texas
 Utah
 Vermont
 Virgin Islands
 Virginia
 Washington
 Washington D.C.
 West Virginia
 Wisconsin
 Wyoming
 
   














































   
Vacation 2 USA   >   California   >   History
Vacation 2 USA   >   History   >   California History

   
 

California History


Prior to the arrival of Europeans, California was inhabited by many distinct groups of Native Americans.

The Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo reached San Diego Bay in 1542, and claimed the area for Spain. From 1565, Spanish traders are known to have made visits to the area, and the English explorer, Sir Francis Drake visited the region in 1579. Spain began to colonize the territory beginning in 1769, with the establishment of fortresses (presidios) and missions.

When Mexico became independent from Spain as a result of the Mexican War of Independence (1810 to 1821), the territory became part of Mexico. Following a brief revolt by US settlers (the Bear Revolt - from which California gets its flag) in 1846, California first became an independent republic, and then soon after was annexed by the United States.

In 1849, gold was discovered in the region, a huge number of immigrants arrived. California was admitted as the 31st state of the Union on September 9th, 1850. Following the establishment of transcontinental railroads and highways, migration to California continued and accelerated, a pattern that has to the present day, making the state into the most populous in the Union.

California played a relatively minor role in the American Civil War (1861 to 1865). While it is true that the state was home to some Confederate sympathizers, they were not allowed to organize and their newspapers were closed, and hence the state remained peaceful. The main involvement of California during the war, was that California Column, a force of 2,000 Union volunteers who marched across New Mexico and Arizona (at that time both part of the New Mexico Territory) into western Texas, engaged in some skirmishes with the Confederates, and spent most of the war fighting Apaches.

In the 20th century, California continued to grow both in population and economic important. When oil was discovered in southern California it was, for a time, the most important industry in the state. California also became an important center of movie-making and the entertainment industry more generally. During World War II, the state produced massive amounts of armaments for the Allied war effort. In more recent years, California became a key location in the new computer and high technology industries.


Related Links


Here are some other websites that may be of interest:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.

California: A History (Modern Library Chronicles)

By Kevin Starr

Modern Library
Released: March 13th, 2007
Orange Paperback (416 pages)

California: A History (Modern Library Chronicles)
Lowest New Price: $17.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
California: A History (Modern Library Chronicles)
  • Manufacturer: Modern Library
  • Brand: Modern Library
  • ISBN: 081297753X
  • EAN: 9780812977530
  • PartNumber: 9780812977530
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: Reprint
  • Number of Pages: 416
  • Author: Kevin Starr
  • Publication Date: March 13th, 2007
  • Release Date: March 13th, 2007
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.0 inches by 5.2 inches by 0.87 inches
  • Weight: 0.6503636729 Pounds
  • Color: Orange
Click here for more information

Historical Atlas of California: With Original Maps

By Derek Hayes

University of California Press
Released: October 30th, 2007
Hardcover (256 pages)

Historical Atlas of California: With Original Maps
List Price: $45.00*
Lowest New Price: $42.49*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
Historical Atlas of California: With Original Maps
  • Manufacturer: University of California Press
  • Brand: University of California Press
  • ISBN: 0520252586
  • EAN: 9780520252585
  • PartNumber: 0520252586_used
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Format: Illustrated
  • Edition: First Edition
  • Number of Pages: 256
  • Author: Derek Hayes
  • Publication Date: October 30th, 2007
  • Release Date: October 30th, 2007
Physical Description:
  • Size: 12.5 inches by 9.5 inches by 1.08 inches
  • Weight: 3.99918543268 pounds
Click here for more information

California: An American History

By John Mack Faragher

Yale University Press
Released: May 10th, 2022
Hardcover (480 pages)

California: An American History
List Price: $28.50*
Lowest New Price: $23.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
California: An American History
  • Manufacturer: Yale University Press
  • ISBN: 0300225792
  • EAN: 9780300225792
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Number of Pages: 480
  • Author: John Mack Faragher
  • Publication Date: May 10th, 2022
  • Release Date: May 10th, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.0 inches by 5.5 inches by 1.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.4 pounds
Click here for more information

California History for Kids: Missions, Miners, and Moviemakers in the Golden State, Includes 21 Activities (39) (For Kids series)

By Katy S. Duffield

Chicago Review Press
Released: January 1st, 2012
Paperback (144 pages)

California History for Kids: Missions, Miners, and Moviemakers in the Golden State, Includes 21 Activities (39) (For Kids series)
Lowest New Price: $19.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
California History for Kids: Missions, Miners, and Moviemakers in the Golden State, Includes 21 Activities (39) (For Kids series)
  • Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
  • Brand: Chicago Review Press
  • ISBN: 1569765324
  • EAN: 9781569765326
  • PartNumber: FBA-|279072
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: 0
  • Number of Pages: 144
  • Author: Katy S. Duffield
  • Publication Date: January 1st, 2012
  • Release Date: January 1st, 2012
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.5 inches by 11.0 inches by 0.3 inches
  • Weight: 1.0582188576 Pounds
Features:
  • Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information

We Are the Land: A History of Native California

By Damon B. Akins

University of California Press
Released: April 20th, 2021
Hardcover (384 pages)

We Are the Land: A History of Native California
List Price: $29.95*
Lowest New Price: $21.46*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
We Are the Land: A History of Native California
  • Manufacturer: University of California Press
  • Brand: University of California Press
  • ISBN: 0520280490
  • EAN: 9780520280496
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Edition: First Edition
  • Number of Pages: 384
  • Authors: Damon B. Akins, William J. Bauer Jr.
  • Publication Date: April 20th, 2021
  • Release Date: April 20th, 2021
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 Inches by 6.0 Inches by 1.4 Inches
  • Weight: 1.4991433816 pounds
Click here for more information

Alta California: From San Diego to San Francisco, A Journey on Foot to Rediscover the Golden State

By Nick Neely

Counterpoint
Multicolor Paperback (432 pages)

Alta California: From San Diego to San Francisco, A Journey on Foot to Rediscover the Golden State
Lowest New Price: $17.95*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
Alta California: From San Diego to San Francisco, A Journey on Foot to Rediscover the Golden State
  • Manufacturer: Counterpoint
  • Brand: Counterpoint
  • ISBN: 164009444X
  • EAN: 9781640094444
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 432
  • Author: Nick Neely
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 1.5 inches
  • Weight: 1.16 pounds
  • Color: Multicolor
Click here for more information

History of California: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Golden State, Starting from when Native Americans Dominated through European Exploration to the Present (U.S. States)

By Captivating History

Captivating History
Released: April 6th, 2021
Paperback (112 pages)

History of California: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Golden State, Starting from when Native Americans Dominated through European Exploration to the Present (U.S. States)
Lowest New Price: $13.34*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
History of California: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Golden State, Starting from when Native Americans Dominated through European Exploration to the Present (U.S. States)
  • Manufacturer: Captivating History
  • ISBN: 1637162774
  • EAN: 9781637162774
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 112
  • Author: Captivating History
  • Publication Date: April 6th, 2021
  • Release Date: April 6th, 2021
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.26 inches
  • Weight: 0.39021820374 pounds
Click here for more information

California: A History

By Arthur C. Verge

Wiley-Interscience
Released: September 15th, 2014
Paperback (456 pages)

California: A History
List Price: $56.95*
Lowest New Price: $39.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
California: A History
  • Manufacturer: Wiley-Blackwell
  • Brand: Wiley-Interscience
  • ISBNs: 9781118701041, 1118701046
  • EAN: 9781118701041
  • PartNumber: 9781118701041
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: 8
  • Number of Pages: 456
  • Authors: Arthur C. Verge, Andrew Rolle
  • Publication Date: September 15th, 2014
  • Release Date: September 15th, 2014
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.051163 inches by 5.999988 inches by 0.700786 inches
  • Weight: 1.43961857086 pounds
Click here for more information

The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California

By Mark Arax

Vintage
Released: April 7th, 2020
White Paperback (576 pages)

The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California
List Price: $20.00*
Lowest New Price: $14.79*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California
  • Manufacturer: Vintage
  • Brand: Vintage
  • ISBN: 1101910194
  • EAN: 9781101910191
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: Reprint
  • Number of Pages: 576
  • Author: Mark Arax
  • Publication Date: April 7th, 2020
  • Release Date: April 7th, 2020
Physical Description:
  • Size: 7.99 inches by 5.16 inches by 1.22 inches
  • Weight: 1.15 Pounds
  • Color: White
Click here for more information

California, a Slave State (Lamar Series in Western History)

By Jean Pfaelzer

Yale University Press
Released: June 27th, 2023
Hardcover (520 pages)

California, a Slave State (Lamar Series in Western History)
List Price: $35.00*
Lowest New Price: $30.80*
In Stock*
*(As of 14:08 Pacific 28 Sep 2023 More Info)


Click Here
Description:
California, a Slave State (Lamar Series in Western History)
  • Manufacturer: Yale University Press
  • ISBN: 0300211643
  • EAN: 9780300211641
  • PartNumber: 9780300211641
Details:
  • Hardcover
  • Number of Pages: 520
  • Author: Jean Pfaelzer
  • Publication Date: June 27th, 2023
  • Release Date: June 27th, 2023
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.25 inches by 6.5 inches by 1.25 inches
  • Weight: 2.07 Pounds
Click here for more information


 
 

 
 
Note: Our company does NOT provide travel, vacation, hotel, car rental services or associated products or services. Any links (including but not limited to banners, text links, or search forms) to such items on this web site are adverts from third parties. Sorry we can NOT answer questions about these types of products or services.

Unless specifically noted on the page in question, our company is NOT associated with any particular destinations, resorts, attractions or places of interest that may be described on this website. In such cases, we have often provided links to the official sites where possible, or other third party sites containing useful information, purely as a courtesy and for informational purposes only.

All information about attractions, places of interest, travel destinations, travel services, etc., was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared, but may be change at any time. Readers are advised to check with the facility/resort operator, their travel agent, travel provider, or the attraction operator, for current information.


Copyright © 2006-2023, Answers 2000 Limited

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE,COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Disclosure: Our company's websites' content (including this website's content) includes advertisements for our own company's websites, products, and services, and for other organization's websites, products, and services. In the case of links to other organization's websites, our company may receive a payment, (1) if you purchase products or services, or (2) if you sign-up for third party offers, after following links from this website. Unless specifically otherwise stated, information about other organization's products and services, is based on information provided by that organization, the product/service vendor, and/or publicly available information - and should not be taken to mean that we have used the product/service in question. Additionally, our company's websites contain some adverts which we are paid to display, but whose content is not selected by us, such as Google AdSense ads. For more detailed information, please see Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures

Our sites use cookies, some of which may already be set on your computer. Use of our site constitutes consent for this. For details, please see Privacy.

Click privacy for information about our company's privacy, data collection and data retention policies, and your rights.

Contact Us   Privacy   Terms of Use   Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures


In Association With Amazon.com
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
In Association With Amazon.co.uk
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
As an Amazon Associate, our company earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon, the Amazon logo, Endless, and the Endless logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.


All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All third party content and adverts are copyright of their respective owners.

Some graphics on our web sites are Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Hemera Technologies Inc., and used under license. All such pictures are provided for viewing purposes only and are not to be saved or downloaded. All such pictures of recognizable individuals are models and used for illustrative purposes only, and not meant to imply any association or endorsement of said individual with any product or service.