Mexico Wins its Freedom 4.1

Freedom from the control or rule of others Independence Freedom from the control or rule of others

Criollos People born of Spanish parents in Mexico

People of both European and Indian heritage Mestizos People of both European and Indian heritage

Californios What the Spanish speaking people of Alta California called themselves

Secularization To separate from religious influences and connections

The Road to War Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a priest that called for an end to Spanish rule of Mexico Criollos, mestizos, and Indians were treated very poorly under Spanish rule.

Mexico Gains Independence War between Mexico and Spain would last 11 years The fighting in Mexico meant Spain gave little attention to Alta California This meant settlers and soldiers in Alta California received little supplies from Spain In 1821 Mexico would win its independence, or freedom. The leaders of Alta California decided to accept Mexican rule

Life under Mexican Rule New leaders and laws were quickly put in place under Mexican rule Most important they allowed California to trade with other countries This helped California’s economy grow

Problems for the Mission Indians The Mexican government wanted to end the mission system The governor ordered missions be secularized Missions were to become pueblos within 15 years Half the land was promised to be given to Indians that worked at the missions, the other half was to go to local governments

Indian Life after Missions However, the Indians ended up getting little land Most were forced to work for Californios Some tried to return to their old way of life, but this often proved impossible.

Rise of the Rancho Economy 4.2

Standard HSS 4.2.8 – Discuss the period of Mexican rule in California and its attributes, including land grants, secularization of the missions and the rise of the rancho economy.

Gifts of land to settlers Land Grants Gifts of land to settlers

Diseño A Spanish word meaning “design” that was a hand-drawn map showing the boundaries of the land grant

Rancho A cattle ranch

Hacienda The main house of a rancho, often built around an open courtyard.

Barter To trade one kind of item for another

Tallow Animal fat used to make soap and candles

Land Grants The Mexican government began to offer land grants to attract new settlers. A person seeking a land grant had to write a letter to the government and also provide a diseño. A person seeking a land grant was required to bring cattle or other animals to the land. Anyone willing to accept the Catholic Faith and become a Mexican Citizen was eligible.

New Land Owners A person awarded a land grant normally started a rancho. Between 1834 and 1846 over 700 new ranchos were started. Ranchos would become an important part of California’s economy. Many ranchos were very large and included 100s of workers.

Growing Trade Mexican law which allowed California to trade with other countries would also help California's economy to grow. Trading ships from around the world began to arrive in California ports. Including ships from the United States and Britain. Traders on ships were looking for tallow and cowhides. Californios benefited from the trading by getting the many items they were unable to grow or make themselves.

Life on the Ranchos 4.3

Vaquero Rancho workers known as cowhands

Fiesta Parties in which people often traveled long distances to visit one another. In addition, they often stayed many days on those visits.

Labor work or workers

Vaqueros A vaquero’s main job was to round up cattle, ranchos were not fenced in, so they wandered around A vaquero had to be a skillful horse rider, and know how to use a reata or lasso Vaqueros branded cattle to be able to identify their cattle from those belonging to other ranchos

Women on the Rachos Women held many jobs on ranchos Some even ran their own ranchos Women would often work with the cattle

Juana Briones Raised money by growing crops at her home In 1844 she bought her own rancho, which was more than 4,000 acres near San Jose In addition to managing her rancho she raised 8 children of her own and six adopted children She also gave medical help to those in need

Indians Indians did much of the work or labor on ranchos. They were vaqueros, cooks, farmers, and much more They normally were not paid instead they were allowed to live at the rancho, and were given food and clothing Many lived in small villages on the ranchos called rancherias

Social Life Vaqueros enjoyed showing off their courage in riding skills, in horse races, and bullfights. Californios often participated in fiestas Fiestas normally took place on ranchos, people would come from all around to eat, sing, play instruments, and dance Churches were also often places of great celebrations for event such as baptisms and weddings.