1. Mexico Wins its Freedom
4.1

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

3. Criollos
People born of Spanish parents in Mexico

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

5. Californios
What the Spanish speaking people of Alta California called themselves

6. Secularization
To separate from religious influences and connections

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Rise of the Rancho Economy
4.2

13. Standard
HSS – 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.

14. Gifts of land to settlers
Land Grants
Gifts of land to settlers

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

16. Rancho
A cattle ranch

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

18. Barter
To trade one kind of item for another

19. Tallow
Animal fat used to make soap and candles

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Life on the Ranchos
4.3

24. Vaquero
Rancho workers known as cowhands

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

26. Labor
work or workers

27. 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

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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.