The document provides an overview of the history of California, describing its four main regions - the Desert, Valley, Coast, and Mountain regions. It discusses key explorers and figures in California's early history, including Juan Cabrillo, Vitus Bering, Sir Francis Drake, Christopher Columbus, Father Serra, Gaspar De Portola, and others. It also covers the missions established by the Spanish, the Gold Rush of 1849 that began after gold was discovered, and some pioneering individuals like John Sutter, Levi Strauss, and Biddy Mason.

1. California History Andrew Benser 2009-2010 Fourth Grade

2. The Desert Region The Desert Region has a lot of mining and aviation. It has hot, dry summers and cool winters. The Desert has a place called death Vally where it reach 134 degrees Farenheit!

3. The Valley Region The Vally Region has a lot of water and rich soil. It has hot and cool winters. The Vally Region is where the state capital is, Sacramento.

4. The Coast Region The Coast region has a lot of fishing technology, entertainment, and tourism. It has hot summers and cool winters. The Coast is the most densely popular region.

5. The Mountain Region The Mountain Region has a lot of timber, mining, and tourism. It has mild summers and cold winters. Mt.Whitney is one of the tallest mountains in the world.

6. Juan Cabrillo Juan Cabrillo was sent to find a safe harbor. So he asked the California indians. They lied and said many were up north. He came back and said that he would kill all of them. He tripped over a rock and died.

7. Vitus Bering Vitus Bering wanted to find out if Russia and North America. So he sailed to the end of Russia and North America and found the there is 20 miles between.

8. Sir Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake was asked to attack the Spanish. So, he stole gold from them to make his country have more money. Later on his ship, the gold was so heavy that one time it sunk his ship and died.

9. Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus was famous for finding more land and traded with them. He made four trips doing that. All of them were taken on a ship.

10. Father Serra Father Serra or Junipero Serra was a priest before he was a missionary at San Diego De Alcala, San Antonio De Padua, and San Francisco De Asis. He also made a total of nine missions.

11. Gaspar De Portola Gaspar started the gold rush. First, he got sent by his family to pick onions. But instead he took a nap under a tree. When he woke up, he pulled up some onions, and there was gold nuggets.

12. Ranchos A Rancho is like a Ranch but a ranch has tractors. Rancho is a Spanish word. Both Ranchos and Ranches raise animals and grow crops.

13. Missions The purpose of the missions was to make the Indians Roman Cathic. The deal the Indians had to make was to be slaves to the Spanish and the would be told them how to be Roman Cathic.

14. John Sutter John Sutter was from Switzerland. John Sutter was a pioneer. In 1841, he built a fort called Sutter's Fort. It was used for selling things.

15. Fort Ross Fort Ross was built by the Russians. It was meant to be a trading post. People from Fort Ross fished and hunted sea otter.

16. John Fremont John Fremont was born in Savanannah. In 1842 Fremont mapped most of the Oregon Trail. He also climbed the second highest peak in Wind River Mountains.

17. John Bidwell John Bidwell was born near Ripley, New York on August 5. In 1841 John was in and helped organize the first wagon train.

18. Jedediah Smith Jedediah Smith was born in Bainbrdge. He was a trapper. In May, 1827, he led his men though the Sierra Nevadas

19. James Beckworth James Beckworth was born in Virginia. He was the first African American trapper. He led a group of Americans to California though what is now called The Beckworth pass.

20. 49ers and The Gold Rush 49ers were people who were miners to find gold. Very few were succssful in doing that. Then whats called The Gold Rush started.

21. Sam Brannon Sam Brannon was a very clever man. He bought everything that would help you find gold. Then he went around the city, pouring gold dust on the ground. And to make a long story short, he became rich.

22. Levi Strauss Levi Strauss was a entrepreneur. Strauss had riveted denim pants made and began to sell them. The pants became popular.

23. Biddy Mason Biddy Mason was a woman who petitioned against California for freedom. After her effort, she won the right for freedom.

24. Mary Tape Mary Tape was a Chinese woman that sued California to make her daughter go to school. Because of her effort, her daughter was able to go to school.

25. The Mexican American War The Mexican American War was between Mexico and America. America won that War.