The first Europeans arrived in California in the 16th century. The expeditions were led by the Portuguese Cabrillo and the Englishman Drake. In the eighteenth century, missions, forts, and three towns appeared in the state. The Spanish brought with them diseases that began to exterminate the local population. Their system of government was also not to the liking of the Native Americans. In the nineteenth century, Russians also took part in the settlement of California. They established several settlements in the northern part of the state.
In 1821, as a result of the war, Mexico gained independence. For 25 years California remained the most remote and sparsely populated part of the “cactus country”. Ranches began to develop here, where cattle were raised. One influential rancher, John Marsh, began campaigning for California to become part of the United States.
In 1846, there was a revolt under the Bear Flag against Mexican rule. As a result – the Republic of California was briefly formed and the Mexican-American War, which lasted two years, began that same year. On January 13, 1847, California came under American control after a treaty was signed. When the war ended, on February 2, 1848, the western part of Mexican Alta California became the U.S. state of California. The rest of the territory became Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and parts of Mexico.
That same year, a precious metal was discovered in the state’s lands, which started a gold rush. There began a sharp influx of seekers of easy profit and the population of California increased several times at once. In 1849, a state constitutional convention was held. In 1854 Sacramento became the capital of California. In 1869 the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed. Agriculture and winemaking began to flourish in the state. The oppression of the indigenous population continued – reservations and isolated ranches were built for them.
In the twentieth century, migration to California accelerated due to the construction of the Lincoln Highway and Route 66. Aqueducts, dams, and bridges, including the Golden Gate, were built due to population growth. In the 1920s, a network of movie studios was established and the Golden Era of Hollywood began.
After World War II, the state’s economy boomed with the development of aerospace and defense industries. Thanks to Stanford University Dean Frederick Terman, his colleagues and alumni, Silicon Valley was founded.
California becomes the center of entertainment, music, technology, engineering, aerospace, and agriculture in the United States. These positions continue into the 21st century.