California History

Question 1

What are the 4 main regions in California?

Answer 1

Coast, Central Valley, Desert, Mountains

Question 2

About how far each year does the Pacific plate move along the San Andres Fault?

Answer 2

1 inch

Question 3

The northern border of California is closest to which degree of latitude?

Answer 3

42 degrees

Question 4

California has been inhabited for about how many years?

Answer 4

About 13,000 to 15,000 years

Question 5

Which Spanish explorer is credited as the first European to land in California?

Answer 5

Juan Cabrillo

Question 6

Which port did Spanish galleons sail from as they traveled down the Californian coast on their way to Acapulco?

Answer 6

Manila

Question 7

Who is credited with establishing the first Christian mission in California?

Answer 7

Faither Serra

Question 8

Overall, what was the main impact of the mission system on Native Americans?

Answer 8

The Native Americans become dependent; the Native American population was reduced by 75%.

Question 9

California came under the control of which country after Mexico gained its independence from Spain?

Answer 9

Mexico

Question 10

What was the status of American Indians during the rancho period?

Answer 10

The Native Americans were essentially servants.

Question 11

What is the most notable cause of the survival of half the members of the Donner party?

Answer 11

Members of the Donner party resorted to cannibalism.

Question 12

About how long the Bear Flag Republic exist in California?

Answer 12

Less than a month

Question 13

Who were the Californios?

Answer 13

Californios were Spanish-speaking people who came from Spain or Mexico to settle in California before the Mexican-American War.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the Capitulation of Cahuenga?

Answer 14

It effectively made California a part of the United States.

Question 15

What was the fastest way from the eastern part of the United States to California during the gold rush? 1848/49

Answer 15

by boat, with overland transfer thought the Isthmus of Panama

Question 16

What was the California government’s official position towards Native American during the gold rush?

Answer 16

Extermination

Question 17

What was the original California Constitution position on women?

Answer 17

Women could own land but could not vote

Question 18

What event of 1861 speeded communication between California and the rest of the US?

Answer 18

The telograph begain operation on October 21, 1861

Question 19

What was the main responsibility of federal troops from California during the Civil War?

Answer 19

Control Native Americans

Question 20

Who is credited with planning the transcontinental railroad?

Answer 20

Theodore Judah

Question 21

What was the main reason the railroad could continue after the death of its founder?

Answer 21

Inflated mileage payments from the government

Question 22

What were the relations between business and California government like at the turn of the twentieth century?

Answer 22

Business controlled government; bribes and favoritism were common

Question 23

How does the 1906 San Francisco earthquake compare with the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?

Answer 23

The San Francisco quake was about 15-20 times stronger

Question 24

Which book chronicles the lives of dust bowl immigrants to California?

Answer 24

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Question 25

Which group of Japanese Americans did the US government consider a particular threat?

Answer 25

Kibei– Those Japanese Americans both born in the United States who had returned to Japan for their education.

Question 26

Where and when does most California precipitation fall?

Answer 26

In the winter and in the northern mountainous regions

Question 27

Which is California’s “largest industry”?

Answer 27

State, regional, county, and local government

Question 28

Approximately what percent of the Californian population is caucasian?

Answer 28

Less than 50% ( about 47%)

Question 29

How long is the state governor and 40 state senators elected for?

Answer 29

4 years

Question 30

80 members of the assembly are elected for how many years?

Answer 30

2 years

Question 31

Highest point in California is?

Answer 31

Mount Whitney (14,495 feet above sea level)

Question 32

Lowest point in California?

Answer 32

Death Valley (282 feet below sea level)