California History Lesson 17 (Mexican California and the Ranchos)

California History

Mexican California and the Ranchos

Lesson 17

Spain neglected California because it was in a struggle with France. The people living in New Spain, which we now call Mexico, grew restless. Those who were born in Mexico could not hold the same jobs as those who came from Spain. The Mexican Spanish and the Indians of Mexico wanted independence from Spain. In 1810, they decided to fight Spain for their independence.

The war lasted for 12 years. In 1821, the Republic of Mexico was established and California came under Mexican rule. The new government wanted to get rid of everything connected with the old Spanish government. They divided up the mission property, giving some to the Indians and leaving the rest for the government. The Indians didn’t know how to take care of their land and animals. Much of what they owned was stolen from them.

A rancho was a place for raising sheep, cattle, and horses. The ranchos began to replace the missions. Anyone who was Catholic and a Mexican citizen could receive land. The owners would use lasso lengths to measure out their land and then mark it with rocks or brush.

The herds on the ranchos grew quickly. Besides the meat the cattle provided, the hides were sent to New England for the leather industry. Hides were accepted as money. They became known as “bank notes” and were worth $1.50 - $2.50. The tallow was sent to make soap and candles. The system of trading for goods without money is called bartering.

The Indians began to work on the ranchos either as vaqueros (cowboys) or doing household work. Since there were no fences, the cattle roamed together. Once a year, the cattle would be rounded up and branded with the registered brand of the rancho. Calves and colts followed their mothers so were easily identified. This roundup, or rodeo, was also a time of fellowship among neighbors. Everyone came together to eat, dance and share stories.

The homes on the ranchos were made of adobe. Poor ranchos had dirt floors. Cooking, eating and visiting were done outside. The rancheros lived near pueblos. Each pueblo had a town hall, a church, and houses. Saddlers, blacksmiths, innkeepers and laborers lived and worked in the pueblos. Each pueblo had a town council with an alcalde who was both mayor and judge.

Activities

1) Matching Worksheet

Matching Questions and Answers:

Match the lettered answers to the following questions.

1. _____ Why did Spain neglect California?
2. _____ Why did the Mexican Spanish and the Indians want independence from Spain?
3. _____ How long did the war with Spain last?
4. _____ Why did the Mexican government close the missions?
5. _____ Why were the mission Indians unable to use their new land?
6. _____ What is a rancho?
7. _____ What were three uses for cattle?
8. _____ What is a vaquero?
9. _____ How did a cattle owner identify his herd?
10. _____ What is a rodeo?
11. _____ How did the rancheros celebrate after a roundup?
12. _____ Of what were homes on the ranchos made?

1. Cowboy
2. They ate, danced and shared stories.
3. He branded the cattle.
4. 12 years
5. A place for raising sheep, cattle and horses
6. They could not hold the same jobs as those who came from Spain.
7. Adobe
8. When the cattle were rounded up
9. Spain was in a struggle with France.
10. They wanted to get rid of everything connected with Spain.
11. The Indians didn’t know how to take care of it.
12. Meat, hides and tallow

2) Make a brand

3) Practice bartering with candy (Oh, California p. 89)

Books related to this topic:

Two Years Before the Mast - Richard Henry Dana

Carlota - Scott O’Dell