Details
- Term
Mexican California
- Broader Term
California
- Qualifier
historic region
- Geography
California
- Date
1821-1848
- Remarks
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, its territory included Alta California (including present-day California, Baja California, Nevada, and parts of Arizona and Utah). Life in Mexican California was dominated by cattle ranching. Californians traded hides and tallow with European and American merchants. After the missions were broken up in the early 1830s, elite families took over the large ranching estates. Many of the Indian vaqueros (cowboys) from the missions stayed to work for the new rancheros. The United States gained control of alta California under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
- See Also
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