Anglo_Migration_to_California

Anglo Migration to California The United States was heading towards an era of inevitable westward growth starting in the early 1800s. The development of new U.S. states spawned from population growth, manifest destiny and a new country that was rapidly blossoming. In the second half of the nineteenth century California entered an era of “Anglo hegemony” that was created through a blend of aggressive U.S. expansion, drive for wealth, Anglo intimidation, and Hispanic approval of mixed marriages. Through the examination of Intimate Frontiers by Albert Hurtado these factors will be shown in how they played a part in the complete transformation of old California into a new predominately Anglo state. In 1821, the emergence of Americans as well as Europeans was starting to be seen in California after Mexican independence was declared and more relaxed laws pertaining to immigration and trade were set up. These Anglos, who were mostly men, began assimilating within the foreign culture by marrying californio women and integrating into their families (Hurtado, xxvii). Then around 1839, two Anglos by the name of John Marsh and John A. Sutter colonized the Sacramento Valley because the Mexicans and Spanish did not want to claim the territory since it was considered a risky Indian region. This newfound settlement helped to persuade fellow Americans to journey to California and join Marsh and Sutter at their established land (Hurtado, 39-40). However, what really made American migration to California explode was the gold-rush of 1849. This drive of wealth and a promise for a better future triggered Americans from the east to make the long and dangerous trip to the west. According to Hurtado, “Men thought of the adventure and the pot of gold at the end of the end of the rainbow-whether land or precious metal…” (Hurtado, 55-56). When Anglos came to California they encountered three different groups of inhabitants that had settled there before them, including Mexican, Spanish, and Indian people. Hurtado explains, “Spaniards could not escape Indians, Mexicans could not escape Anglos, Anglos could not escape all of the others who preceded and followed them to an intimate frontier of barely aquatinted strangers.” (Hurtado, 141). There were various types of Indian tribes that Anglos came across in California or while in the west traveling there. Many migrants experienced Shoshone, Yavapai and Umpqua Indians. Various Indian encounters lead to bloodshed, theft and rape. On the trail to California, tales of Indian violence would sometimes be overblown leading scared Anglo men watching over their group to fire their weapons at shadows and silhouettes (Hurtado, 38, 57, 68, 81). The eventual American takeover of California was successful in many ways. When Anglos first arrived the possibility of marrying Hispanic women was a huge advantage in flourishing. Californios, especially those who were an elite part of society wanted to make sure their blood line was pure. Anglos were extremely helpful in this sense because even though they were not Spanish they were allowed to marry into these wealthy families. Not only did they inherit wealth which would help them gain superiority, but these mixed marriages helped whites to envelop themselves into the culture (Hurtado 25). Americans were regarded as above the law in some senses, for example they were not penalized for raping Indian women since Indian testimony could not convict a perpetrator under California law (Hurtado 88). America had defeated the British and the Spanish and created an empire so upon their arrival to California, intimidation was a huge factor. The Californios and Indians were in a weak position when it came to not accepting American domination. Another factor Hurtado argues that, “With the gold rush came an influx of people from all over the world, but Americans dominated the scene because they formed (in most places) a majority of the new population and because they controlled the new state and local governments…” (Hurtado, xxvii). Gender and sex played a part in the Anglo newcomer’s control of California. Women helped men by waking up early and cooking meals along with getting everything prepared for the husband to have a successful day. Since men out numbered women greatly, women set up businesses that helped single men do work that was considered womanly, such as sewing, laundry, etc. Prostitution also exploded from the over abundance of single men, which helped men cope with life in the west and also helped the economy thrive. California soon became Americanized in a separate way from the east; it became a state of loose morals (Hurtado, 57, 79) The American west would be forever changed from the emergence of Anglos in California. This happened subtly but surely beginning the in nineteenth century through the gold rush, westward expansion, mixed marriages and American intimidation. Once the population began to boom Indians and Hispanics alike either assimilated, eliminated or moved elsewhere making Anglos the dominate culture that still prevails today.