California's Settlement History: From Native Tribes to Spanish Missions to U.S. Statehood

California's human history spans 13,000+ years:

1. Indigenous Peoples (Pre-1542)

~100 distinct tribes (Ohlone, Miwok, Yokuts, Chumash, Tongva, etc.)—300,000+ people. Diverse hunter-gatherer societies with sophisticated land management (controlled burns, seed cultivation).

2. Spanish Exploration & Colonization (1542–1821)

• 1542: Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claims coast for Spain.
• 1769: Junípero Serra founds Mission San Diego de Alcalá—first of 21 missions along El Camino Real.
• Presidios (military forts) and pueblos (civilian towns) established: San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (1781).

3. Mexican Period (1821–1848)

Mexico secularized missions (1834), granting vast ranchos to loyalists. Cattle hide/tallow trade with Boston ships. Weak central control.

4. U.S. Conquest & Gold Rush (1846–1850)

• 1846: Bear Flag Revolt; U.S. occupies California in Mexican–American War.
• 1848: Gold discovered at Sutter's Mill → 300,000+ "49ers" arrive.
• 1850: California admitted as 31st state (free, bypassing territory stage).

Each wave displaced Native populations further—through disease, violence, and land loss.