California History Flashcards
What are the 4 main regions in California?
Coast, Central Valley, Desert, Mountains
About how far each year does the Pacific plate move along the San Andres Fault?
1 inch
The northern border of California is closest to which degree of latitude?
42 degrees
California has been inhabited for about how many years?
About 13,000 to 15,000 years
Which Spanish explorer is credited as the first European to land in California?
Juan Cabrillo
Which port did Spanish galleons sail from as they traveled down the Californian coast on their way to Acapulco?
Manila
Who is credited with establishing the first Christian mission in California?
Faither Serra
Overall, what was the main impact of the mission system on Native Americans?
The Native Americans become dependent; the Native American population was reduced by 75%.
California came under the control of which country after Mexico gained its independence from Spain?
Mexico
What was the status of American Indians during the rancho period?
The Native Americans were essentially servants.
What is the most notable cause of the survival of half the members of the Donner party?
Members of the Donner party resorted to cannibalism.
About how long the Bear Flag Republic exist in California?
Less than a month
Who were the Californios?
Californios were Spanish-speaking people who came from Spain or Mexico to settle in California before the Mexican-American War.
What was the outcome of the Capitulation of Cahuenga?
It effectively made California a part of the United States.
What was the fastest way from the eastern part of the United States to California during the gold rush? 1848/49
by boat, with overland transfer thought the Isthmus of Panama
What was the California government’s official position towards Native American during the gold rush?
Extermination
What was the original California Constitution position on women?
Women could own land but could not vote
What event of 1861 speeded communication between California and the rest of the US?
The telograph begain operation on October 21, 1861
What was the main responsibility of federal troops from California during the Civil War?
Control Native Americans
Who is credited with planning the transcontinental railroad?
Theodore Judah
What was the main reason the railroad could continue after the death of its founder?
Inflated mileage payments from the government
What were the relations between business and California government like at the turn of the twentieth century?
Business controlled government; bribes and favoritism were common
How does the 1906 San Francisco earthquake compare with the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
The San Francisco quake was about 15-20 times stronger
Which book chronicles the lives of dust bowl immigrants to California?
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Which group of Japanese Americans did the US government consider a particular threat?
Kibei– Those Japanese Americans both born in the United States who had returned to Japan for their education.
Where and when does most California precipitation fall?
In the winter and in the northern mountainous regions
Which is California’s “largest industry”?
State, regional, county, and local government
Approximately what percent of the Californian population is caucasian?
Less than 50% ( about 47%)
How long is the state governor and 40 state senators elected for?
4 years
80 members of the assembly are elected for how many years?
2 years
Highest point in California is?
Mount Whitney (14,495 feet above sea level)
Lowest point in California?
Death Valley (282 feet below sea level)
