Modern CA History
The Progressive Era Early 1900s SF run by Ruef machine Progressives: A middle class reform movement Governor Hiram Johnson Weaken party machines and SPR—for “direct democracy”—initiative, recall, and referenda
SF again influences national immigration policy 1905 San Francisco segregates schools regarding Japanese 1908 leads to “Gentleman’s Agreement”
Great Depression ,000s of dustbowl refugees migrate here "California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot If you ain't got the do re mi." Okie culture
1934 Governor’s race Former socialist and author of The Jungle, Upton Sinclair, runs for office as a Democrat and New Dealer on EPIC platform Is smeared in first professional media campaign
Growing Radicalism of the Depression era unions organize and strike--previously the “Wobblies,” now the Communist Party among others Over 50 strikes of farm workers in 1933
Salinas strike of Growers brought over Filipinos to work in fields after WWI and exclusion of Chinese and Japanese Growers split striking Filipino lettuce pickers from white shed workers
San Francisco General Strike 1934 Strike shuts down shipping on West Coast Entire Bay Area is shut down for 3 day General Strike after police force picketing longshoremen to allow in “scabs”
Again, economic downturn leads to greater xenophobia 100,000s of Mexicans are pushed out or deported anti-Filipino riots break out, and they are “invited” to leave under the Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935
WW II and greater military presence (Southern) CA becomes a center of US aerospace industry All filled with bases—many close at end of Cold War
Post-War into 1960s Population and economy boom Under Governors Earl Warren and Pat Brown pro-growth policies—schools, colleges, and highways.
Ronald Reagan Clashes with counter-culture and UC Tries to cut size of state govt.
Jerry Brown Supported civil liberties and civil rights and “appropriate technology”, but not the spending of his dad