California had a troubled history under Mexican rule from 1821-1846, with governors like Jose Figueroa trying to secularize the missions to give land to Native Americans. Under Mexican rule, many large land grants called ranchos dominated the economy. In the late 19th century, William Hammond Hall laid out plans to develop California's water infrastructure using projects like dams, aqueducts and the Colorado River, but this led to the accidental formation of the Salton Sea when the river overwhelmed a canal. California's population grew increasingly diverse through the Gold Rush, immigration reforms of the 1960s, and tensions over race like the 1992 LA riots after officers beating Rodney King were acquitted.

1. CALIFORNIA:
AN OVERVIEW
Colin Evans

2. A TROUBLED TERRITORY
1821, Mexico gains its
independence from Spain
news of Mexican independence
doesn’t reach Alta California for
nearly a year
Augustin Iturbide ruled as emperor
for a short time
Alta and Baja California become a
federal republic in 1824
becomes a territory

3. A TROUBLED TERRITORY
Brevet Brigadier Jose Figueroa, a
civil administrator and honored
soldier, served as Governor
seen by many as the most
competent governor of the
mexican era
opposed the colony system, favored
using mission lands strictly for
indians
partly because he himself was of
Native American descent
took charge of the secularization
process

4. A TROUBLED TERRITORY
A new social institution gained
prominence; the land grant rancho
600 land grants were made during
the Mexican era
this system of land grants
dominated the economy
families were large and extended
rancho life was California at its best
during the Mexican era

5. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
most of California is desert terrain
67% of California’s annual rainfall
falls in the Northern 33% of the
state
in the 1890’s the public works
infrastructure of California was
created
built dams, reservoirs, power
plants, industrial sites, bridges,
roadways, aqueducts, stadiums,
and public buildings

6. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
William Hammond Hall was
appointed to be state engineer
In 1878, the Drainage Act gave
$100,000 for studies regarding
irrigation, drainage, and navigation
Hall published several studies that
laid out a plan for California’s water
projects
considered to be a founder of the
state
used the Colorado River as
California’s main source of water

7. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
October 1904, a second canal is cut
into the Western bank of the
Colorado River
disaster waiting to happen
Spring 1905, Colorado River
overwhelms the second canal
water begins pouring into the
Salton Sink at a tremendous rate
2,500 carloads of rock, gravel, and
clay are dumped into the break in
an attempt to stop the flow
thus, the Salton Sea is formed

8. ECUMENOPOLIS
ethnic diversity is crucial to
California
70 to 80 language groups in the
Native American era
every combination of European,
Native American, and African
bloodlines existed
California Gold Rush only
intensified this diversity as more and
more varying ethnicities traveled to
California in search of wealth

9. ECUMENOPOLIS
1965, the Immigration and
Nationality Acts amendments were
passed
program of reform for the U.S.
immigration laws
formerly excluded groups, like
Asians, were granted expanded
immigration quotas
led to dramatic increase in Asian
population in the United States
favored the reuniting of families

10. ECUMENOPOLIS
1991, a group of Los Angeles
policeman pull over a black
motorist
they beat him severely
the man’s name was Rodney King
April 29, 1992, the four officers
involved were acquitted of all
charges by an all-white jury
one of the worst urban riots ensued
race was still a tense issue in Los
Angeles