the people
THE MEXICANOS:
The Mexicanos had a great influence on the Southwest. The Mexicanos knowledge, skills, and techniques advanced the development of mining in the Southwest. These contributions helped the gold, silver, and copper mining industries. American setters learned about cattle ranching, cowboy life, and sheep rising from the mexicanos. They adopted Mexicano traditions for raising cattle and sheep. The American cowboy’s language was enriched by the Spanish-Mexican words like burro, rodeo, and lasso. White settlers in the Southwest adopted irrigation techniques that had been pioneered by Mexicanos and Pueblo Indians. They also learned to appreciate Mexicano food. Today, Mexicano culture survives in such American adaptations as Spanish-style homes and building as well as legal traditions regarding mining, water, and community property. Millions of Americans enjoy music, dances, festivals, and rodeos that come from Mexicano traditions.
The Mexicanos had a great influence on the Southwest. The Mexicanos knowledge, skills, and techniques advanced the development of mining in the Southwest. These contributions helped the gold, silver, and copper mining industries. American setters learned about cattle ranching, cowboy life, and sheep rising from the mexicanos. They adopted Mexicano traditions for raising cattle and sheep. The American cowboy’s language was enriched by the Spanish-Mexican words like burro, rodeo, and lasso. White settlers in the Southwest adopted irrigation techniques that had been pioneered by Mexicanos and Pueblo Indians. They also learned to appreciate Mexicano food. Today, Mexicano culture survives in such American adaptations as Spanish-style homes and building as well as legal traditions regarding mining, water, and community property. Millions of Americans enjoy music, dances, festivals, and rodeos that come from Mexicano traditions.
THE CALIFORNIOS:
In 1796, a Spanish missionary named Junipero Serra led soldiers and priests north from Mexico to California. The reason the Serra traveled there was to try and convert California Indians to Christianity. To reach his goal, he spread a chain of missions that stretched from what is now San Diego to just north of San Francisco. Each mission controlled a huge amount of land; it was the same for the Indians. Although the missionaries meant well, the missions were deadly to native Californians. Indians were sometimes harshly treated and the missions brought lots of deadly diseases. More settlers followed the missionaries to California. When Mexico won its independence in 1821, California came under Mexican rule. In 1833, the Mexican government closed the missions. Half of the land that the missions covered was supposed to go to the Indians. Mexico used a different system and gave most of and gave most of the California’s mission land to soldiers and settlers. The typical Spanish-speaking Californian, or Californio, was granted a rancho of 50,000.
Living on Ranchos combined hard work and the occasional fiesta. The Californios produced almost everything they needed at home. Indian servants didn't do much work. In 1830s, cattle ranching became California’s most important industry. Cattle provided hides and beef fat that could be traded for imported good brought by ship. Richard Henry Dana was an American sailor who carried teas, coffee, sugars, spices, raisins, molasses, hardware, dishes, tinware, cutlery, clothing, jewelry, and furniture. Since California was so far from the capital in Mexico City, the Mexican government neglected this part of the land. Soldiers weren't paid, and they took what they needed to survive from the people. When officials were sent to govern California they were often unskilled and sometimes dishonest.
In 1846, the United States captured California as a part of the war with Mexico. Soon after the war Californios were a minority in California. Even though they became a minority they had left a lasting mark. Californios left many of its Spanish names such as San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and they also introduced many of California’s famous crops, such as grapes, olives, and citrus fruits.
In 1796, a Spanish missionary named Junipero Serra led soldiers and priests north from Mexico to California. The reason the Serra traveled there was to try and convert California Indians to Christianity. To reach his goal, he spread a chain of missions that stretched from what is now San Diego to just north of San Francisco. Each mission controlled a huge amount of land; it was the same for the Indians. Although the missionaries meant well, the missions were deadly to native Californians. Indians were sometimes harshly treated and the missions brought lots of deadly diseases. More settlers followed the missionaries to California. When Mexico won its independence in 1821, California came under Mexican rule. In 1833, the Mexican government closed the missions. Half of the land that the missions covered was supposed to go to the Indians. Mexico used a different system and gave most of and gave most of the California’s mission land to soldiers and settlers. The typical Spanish-speaking Californian, or Californio, was granted a rancho of 50,000.
Living on Ranchos combined hard work and the occasional fiesta. The Californios produced almost everything they needed at home. Indian servants didn't do much work. In 1830s, cattle ranching became California’s most important industry. Cattle provided hides and beef fat that could be traded for imported good brought by ship. Richard Henry Dana was an American sailor who carried teas, coffee, sugars, spices, raisins, molasses, hardware, dishes, tinware, cutlery, clothing, jewelry, and furniture. Since California was so far from the capital in Mexico City, the Mexican government neglected this part of the land. Soldiers weren't paid, and they took what they needed to survive from the people. When officials were sent to govern California they were often unskilled and sometimes dishonest.
In 1846, the United States captured California as a part of the war with Mexico. Soon after the war Californios were a minority in California. Even though they became a minority they had left a lasting mark. Californios left many of its Spanish names such as San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and they also introduced many of California’s famous crops, such as grapes, olives, and citrus fruits.
THE MOUNTAIN MEN:
Lewis and Clark’s expedition stimulated new interest in the fur trade. When Lewis and Clark traveled through the Rockies they reported signs of beavers. After their expedition a Spanish trader name Manuel Lisa followed their route west. In 1807, Lisa led 42 trappers up the Missouri River. The next year, he took 350 trappers into the Rockies. For the next 30 years, trappers crisscrossed the West in search of valuable furs.
Tappers gained the name Mountain Men. These men lived a hard life and often died young. During the spring and fall, they set out traps in streams in hopes of catching beavers. In July, the traveled to trading post to swap furs for supplies or gathered for and annual get together. Having the annual get together was fun but the Mountain Men faced many dangers such as fur thieves, Indians, wolves and bears. Accidents were very common. If you misplaced a single step on a mountain, or misjudged a single river rapid, it would often carry you off to sudden death. Another danger was disease. When one man asked about news about a party of trappers he learned that “some had died of lingering diseases…”
Mountain Men braved this dangerous way of life because of the freedom and adventure it offered. Jim Beckwourth, an African American from Virginia who became a fur trapper and explorer. While hunting for beavers in the Rockies, Beckwourth was captured by Crow Indians. An old woman identified him as her long-lost son, and he was adopted into the tribe. Beckwourth lived with the Crow for six years and became a chief. By the 1830s Beckwourth had left his tribe, the fur trade was in decline. After this Beckwourth continued his life as a adventurous explorer. In 1850, he discovered the lowest pass across the Sierra Nevada range, known today as Beckwourth Pass.
In their search for furs, the Mountain Men explored most of the west, leaving trails for pioneers to follow. Most of their trading posts became supply stations for settlers moving west along their trails.
Lewis and Clark’s expedition stimulated new interest in the fur trade. When Lewis and Clark traveled through the Rockies they reported signs of beavers. After their expedition a Spanish trader name Manuel Lisa followed their route west. In 1807, Lisa led 42 trappers up the Missouri River. The next year, he took 350 trappers into the Rockies. For the next 30 years, trappers crisscrossed the West in search of valuable furs.
Tappers gained the name Mountain Men. These men lived a hard life and often died young. During the spring and fall, they set out traps in streams in hopes of catching beavers. In July, the traveled to trading post to swap furs for supplies or gathered for and annual get together. Having the annual get together was fun but the Mountain Men faced many dangers such as fur thieves, Indians, wolves and bears. Accidents were very common. If you misplaced a single step on a mountain, or misjudged a single river rapid, it would often carry you off to sudden death. Another danger was disease. When one man asked about news about a party of trappers he learned that “some had died of lingering diseases…”
Mountain Men braved this dangerous way of life because of the freedom and adventure it offered. Jim Beckwourth, an African American from Virginia who became a fur trapper and explorer. While hunting for beavers in the Rockies, Beckwourth was captured by Crow Indians. An old woman identified him as her long-lost son, and he was adopted into the tribe. Beckwourth lived with the Crow for six years and became a chief. By the 1830s Beckwourth had left his tribe, the fur trade was in decline. After this Beckwourth continued his life as a adventurous explorer. In 1850, he discovered the lowest pass across the Sierra Nevada range, known today as Beckwourth Pass.
In their search for furs, the Mountain Men explored most of the west, leaving trails for pioneers to follow. Most of their trading posts became supply stations for settlers moving west along their trails.
MISSIONARIES:
In 1831, three Nez Perce traveled to St. Louis to learn more about the white man’s ways. There, the Nez Perce asked if someone would come west to teach their people the secrets of the Bible. Several missionaries answered that call. The best known were Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and Henry and Eliza Spalding. In 1836, the two couples traveled west from St. Louis along the Oregon Trail.
On reaching Oregon, the group split up. The Spalding’s went to work with the Nez Perce and the Whitman’s worked among a neighboring group, the Cayuse. Neither couple knew very much about the people they hoped to convert. The result was a difficult start. After three years, the Spalding’s finally made their first converts. In 1839, Henry baptized two Nez Perce chiefs. A year later, one of the chiefs had his infant son baptized as well. The child would grow up to be the leader best known as Chief Joseph. The Whitman’s were less successful. The Cayuse were far more interested in the whites’ tools and weapons. The Cayuse were also offended by the couple. Not a single Cayuse converted to the new faith.
Marcus Whitman was far more successful at converting Americans over to the belief that Oregon was a pioneer’s paradise. In 1842, Marcus traveled east on horseback. Along the way, he urged Americans to settle in Oregon. On his return, he guided a large group of settlers along the Oregon Trail. After that more settlers followed. In 1847, measles came west with settlers and swept through the Whitman mission. Marcus treated the sick as best as he could. The whites’ normally recovered but the Cayuse were slowly dying off. The Cayuse Indians had heard rumors that Whitman was giving deadly pills to Indians. The Cayuse Indians the staged and attack upon the mission, killing both Marcus and Narcissa.
The Missionaries’’ was the way that the West became open to settlement. In California, Oregon, and other territories, settlers followed in the footsteps of the missionaries.
In 1831, three Nez Perce traveled to St. Louis to learn more about the white man’s ways. There, the Nez Perce asked if someone would come west to teach their people the secrets of the Bible. Several missionaries answered that call. The best known were Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and Henry and Eliza Spalding. In 1836, the two couples traveled west from St. Louis along the Oregon Trail.
On reaching Oregon, the group split up. The Spalding’s went to work with the Nez Perce and the Whitman’s worked among a neighboring group, the Cayuse. Neither couple knew very much about the people they hoped to convert. The result was a difficult start. After three years, the Spalding’s finally made their first converts. In 1839, Henry baptized two Nez Perce chiefs. A year later, one of the chiefs had his infant son baptized as well. The child would grow up to be the leader best known as Chief Joseph. The Whitman’s were less successful. The Cayuse were far more interested in the whites’ tools and weapons. The Cayuse were also offended by the couple. Not a single Cayuse converted to the new faith.
Marcus Whitman was far more successful at converting Americans over to the belief that Oregon was a pioneer’s paradise. In 1842, Marcus traveled east on horseback. Along the way, he urged Americans to settle in Oregon. On his return, he guided a large group of settlers along the Oregon Trail. After that more settlers followed. In 1847, measles came west with settlers and swept through the Whitman mission. Marcus treated the sick as best as he could. The whites’ normally recovered but the Cayuse were slowly dying off. The Cayuse Indians had heard rumors that Whitman was giving deadly pills to Indians. The Cayuse Indians the staged and attack upon the mission, killing both Marcus and Narcissa.
The Missionaries’’ was the way that the West became open to settlement. In California, Oregon, and other territories, settlers followed in the footsteps of the missionaries.
CHINESE IMMIGRANTS:
“Gold Mountain” was what people in China called California in 1848. Chinese peasants thought that Gam Saan sounded like a paradise. The had been told that “you will have great pay, large houses, and food and clothing of the finest description... Money is in great plenty.” By 1852, more than 20,000 Chinese had ventured across the Pacific to California.
At first, the Chinese were welcomed. In 1852, the governor of California praised Chinese immigrants as “one of the most worthy classes of our newly adopted citizens.” As gold mining became more difficult, however, attitudes toward immigrants began to change. The Chinese then became under attack. American miners called on the government to drive foreigners out of the goldfields. In 1852, the state legislature passed a law requiring foreign miners to pay a monthly fee for a license to mine. AS tax collectors arrived in the camps, most of the foreigners left.
The Chinese paid the tax and stayed on. When miners' tax failed to drive off the Chinese, Americans tried to force them into leaving. The Americans tried many different methods such as, cutting the long braids worn by Chinese men; they also burned shacks of Chinese miners. Beatings followed burnings. Discouraged Chinese immigrants left the mines to open restaurants, laundries, and stores. So many people settled in San Francisco that the local newspapers called their neighborhood Chinatown. Today, San Francisco’s Chinatown remains the oldest and largest Chinese community in the United States. Other Chinese put their farming skills to work in California’s fertile Central Valley. They drained swamps and dug irrigation ditches to water arid fields. In time, they would help transform California into America’s fruit basket and salad bowl.
The Chinese helped build that West; they also made it a more interesting place to live. Whenever they settled; Chinese immigrants brought with them the arts, tastes, scent, and sound of one of the world oldest and richest cultures.
“Gold Mountain” was what people in China called California in 1848. Chinese peasants thought that Gam Saan sounded like a paradise. The had been told that “you will have great pay, large houses, and food and clothing of the finest description... Money is in great plenty.” By 1852, more than 20,000 Chinese had ventured across the Pacific to California.
At first, the Chinese were welcomed. In 1852, the governor of California praised Chinese immigrants as “one of the most worthy classes of our newly adopted citizens.” As gold mining became more difficult, however, attitudes toward immigrants began to change. The Chinese then became under attack. American miners called on the government to drive foreigners out of the goldfields. In 1852, the state legislature passed a law requiring foreign miners to pay a monthly fee for a license to mine. AS tax collectors arrived in the camps, most of the foreigners left.
The Chinese paid the tax and stayed on. When miners' tax failed to drive off the Chinese, Americans tried to force them into leaving. The Americans tried many different methods such as, cutting the long braids worn by Chinese men; they also burned shacks of Chinese miners. Beatings followed burnings. Discouraged Chinese immigrants left the mines to open restaurants, laundries, and stores. So many people settled in San Francisco that the local newspapers called their neighborhood Chinatown. Today, San Francisco’s Chinatown remains the oldest and largest Chinese community in the United States. Other Chinese put their farming skills to work in California’s fertile Central Valley. They drained swamps and dug irrigation ditches to water arid fields. In time, they would help transform California into America’s fruit basket and salad bowl.
The Chinese helped build that West; they also made it a more interesting place to live. Whenever they settled; Chinese immigrants brought with them the arts, tastes, scent, and sound of one of the world oldest and richest cultures.