Question

In an essay, compare the experiences of the people of different cultures who settled in California after the Mexican cession. Include in your essay how the increase in immigrant populations affected Mexican Americans and Indians who resided in California before the cession

Answer 1

Expansionists

People who favored territorial growth and believed that Americans had a God given right to own all of North America. The expansionists believed that Americans should take over New Mexico, Texas, and California because of how weak the Mexican government was.

Stephen F. Austin

Led American emigrants to settle east of San Antonio to found the town of Austin. These emigrants were searching for the economic opportunity of good farmland in large portions.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

A Mexican general who seized power of Mexico City in 1834. Santa Anna favored a centralized, Authoritarian government that was dominated by the military, something that differed from the Anglo-Texans belief in an autonomy. The Anglo-Texans eventually rebelled and Santa Anna lost power of Mexico City.

Autonomy

A type of government in which the people have independent control over their own affairs. This is what the Anglo-Texans wanted while Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was in power.

Lone Star Republic

The name of the nation that was created after the Texans declared their independence from Mexico and adopted a republican constitution. The nation was called the Lone Star Republic because of the single star on its flag.

Alamo

The Alamo was a small Texas garrison that was attacked by Santa Anna in 1836 during the Texan's fight for independence. After 12 days of cannon fire, the Mexican troops defeated the Texans defending the Alamo and slaughtered all of the defenders. Santa Anna expected the slaughter to frighten other Texans into surrendering, but instead the fallen defenders became martyrs to the cause of Texan independence.

California Gold Rush

During the California Gold Rush 80,000 people headed for California in search of gold. This began when flecks of gold were found in the American River by workers at John Sutter's sawmill. This Gold Rush increased California's population rapidly, and eventually led to California applying for statehood.

49ers

This was the nickname for people who rushed to California to find gold.

Answer 2

The Mexican cession in 1848 marked the transfer of California from Mexico to the United States and brought about a major shift in the cultural and ethnic composition of the state. As a result of the Gold Rush and the establishment of the transcontinental railroad, California saw an influx of people from all over the world, including immigrants from Europe, China, and the eastern United States.

Mexican Americans, who had lived in California for generations, were greatly affected by this change. Many lost their land and were forced to work as laborers on large, often white-owned, agricultural estates. They also faced discrimination and marginalization from the new immigrant populations and the American government. The increased competition for jobs and resources resulted in a decline in the standard of living for Mexican Americans, and they were often relegated to the lowest rungs of society.

Indians, who had inhabited California for thousands of years, also experienced the effects of the Mexican cession and the increase in immigration. They suffered greatly as their land was taken away and they were forced to live on reservations. The new immigrant populations brought with them diseases that decimated the indigenous populations, and many Native Americans were also subjected to violence and discrimination.

In contrast, the experiences of the new immigrant populations were quite different. The European immigrants found success as farmers, ranchers, and merchants, and they established communities that reflected their cultural and ethnic identities. The Chinese immigrants, who arrived in large numbers to work on the transcontinental railroad, faced significant challenges, including discrimination, poverty, and limited opportunities for employment. Despite these obstacles, the Chinese immigrants established their own communities, where they could preserve their cultural traditions and support each other.

In conclusion, the Mexican cession had a profound impact on the cultural and ethnic composition of California, and the experiences of the people who settled there after the cession varied greatly. Mexican Americans and Indians, who had lived in California before the cession, faced significant challenges, while the new immigrant populations, who arrived in search of new opportunities, had vastly different experiences. The increase in immigration brought about changes in the social, economic, and political landscape of California, and the effects of these changes continue to be felt today.