Statehood
Lesson 22
The first inhabitants of California were the Native Americans. Then the Spaniards came who set up missions and presidios. Mexico got tired of the lack of support they received from Spain, so they went to war and won their independence. California was then owned by Mexico. Ranchos replaced the missions. The United States became interested in California as more and more people began to move west. The United States went to war with Mexico. For the sum of fifteen million dollars, the United States took possession of California, Texas and all the land in between.
The Gold Rush brought many people to California. It was hard to govern so many people. Representatives from every part of California were called together to write a constitution. A constitution is a set of laws for people to live by. Forty-eight delegates me on September 1, 1849. The delegation decided they wanted California to be a state, that no slavery would be allowed in California, white and Native American males were given the right to vote, and the boundaries they agreed on are the boundaries we have today. Once this constitution was approved by the voters, it was sent to Washington D.C. and presented to Congress. On September 9, 1850, President Zachary Taylor signed the bill for the admission of California to the United States, making California the 31st state.
Each state has a seal to represent it. California’s seal was adopted at the Constitutional Convention of 1849. Each symbol on the state represents a part of California’s history.
1) The 31 stars represent the number of states in the Union at that time.
2) Eureka means “I found it!” as a reminder of the gold found in the state.
3) The peaks of the Sierra Nevada stand for the grandeur of the nature.
4) Ships on the Sacramento River stand for the commerce (buying and selling goods) of the state
5) A miner laboring with a pick, rocker and pan represents industry (making goods from raw materials).
6) Agricultural wealth is seen in a sheaf of wheat and a cluster of grapes.
7) The armored figure of Minerva, the goddess of arts, sciences, wisdom and war in ancient Greek mythology keeps watch over the state.
8) According to myth, Minerva was born full-grown, just as California came into the Union without having first been a territory.
9) At her feet a grizzly bear symbolizes the state of California.
Activities
3) Dot to Dot
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4) Timeline Movie: 1) Native Americans 2) Missions 3) Ranchos 4) Pioneers 5) Bear Flag Revolt 6) Gold Rush 7) Statehood
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