Anglo Migration to California
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- Date Submitted: 02/23/2011 10:46 AM
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Anglo Migration to California
The United States was heading towards an era of inevitable westward growth starting in the early 1800s. The development of new U.S. states spawned from population growth, manifest destiny and a new country that was rapidly blossoming. In the second half of the nineteenth century California entered an era of “Anglo hegemony” that was created through a blend of aggressive U.S. expansion, drive for wealth, Anglo intimidation, and Hispanic approval of mixed marriages. Through the examination of Intimate Frontiers by Albert Hurtado these factors will be shown in how they played a part in the complete transformation of old California into a new predominately Anglo state.
In 1821, the emergence of Americans as well as Europeans was starting to be seen in California after Mexican independence was declared and more relaxed laws pertaining to immigration and trade were set up. These Anglos, who were mostly men, began assimilating within the foreign culture by marrying californio women and integrating into their families (Hurtado, xxvii). Then around 1839, two Anglos by the name of John Marsh and John A. Sutter colonized the Sacramento Valley because the Mexicans and Spanish did not want to claim the territory since it was considered a risky Indian region. This newfound settlement helped to persuade fellow Americans to journey to California and join Marsh and Sutter at their established land (Hurtado, 39-40). However, what really made American migration to California explode was the gold-rush of 1849. This drive of wealth and a promise for a better future triggered Americans from the east to make the long and dangerous trip to the west. According to Hurtado, “Men thought of the adventure and the pot of gold at the end of the end of the rainbow-whether land or precious metal…” (Hurtado, 55-56).
When Anglos came to California they encountered three different groups of inhabitants that had settled there before them, including...
The United States was heading towards an era of inevitable westward growth starting in the early 1800s. The development of new U.S. states spawned from population growth, manifest destiny and a new country that was rapidly blossoming. In the second half of the nineteenth century California entered an era of “Anglo hegemony” that was created through a blend of aggressive U.S. expansion, drive for wealth, Anglo intimidation, and Hispanic approval of mixed marriages. Through the examination of Intimate Frontiers by Albert Hurtado these factors will be shown in how they played a part in the complete transformation of old California into a new predominately Anglo state.
In 1821, the emergence of Americans as well as Europeans was starting to be seen in California after Mexican independence was declared and more relaxed laws pertaining to immigration and trade were set up. These Anglos, who were mostly men, began assimilating within the foreign culture by marrying californio women and integrating into their families (Hurtado, xxvii). Then around 1839, two Anglos by the name of John Marsh and John A. Sutter colonized the Sacramento Valley because the Mexicans and Spanish did not want to claim the territory since it was considered a risky Indian region. This newfound settlement helped to persuade fellow Americans to journey to California and join Marsh and Sutter at their established land (Hurtado, 39-40). However, what really made American migration to California explode was the gold-rush of 1849. This drive of wealth and a promise for a better future triggered Americans from the east to make the long and dangerous trip to the west. According to Hurtado, “Men thought of the adventure and the pot of gold at the end of the end of the rainbow-whether land or precious metal…” (Hurtado, 55-56).
When Anglos came to California they encountered three different groups of inhabitants that had settled there before them, including...