California History
California's state history is very important and special. Famous explorers that we know came to explore this wonderful state over 10,000 years ago. In this report, we will show what the explorers and the native americans did when they lived in California. We will also see the states government, their three branches, what those branches did and three very special events
First People
The first people in California were Indians like the Tipai Ipai.They arrived 11,000 years ago in 9,000 BCE. They lived near the ocean and became excellent fishers and boat builders. They also traded with nearby coastal tribes.
First Explorers
The first non-Native American to explore this area was Sir Francis Drake. He came from England in early 1579. He looked where a Native American tribe lived and called it the New Albion. It was a success because they explored the place they were trying to find and it didn't affect the Native Americans.
Great Depresion
One major historical event is the Great Depression that occured during the states dust storms and strong winds, that were called a dust bowl. It was so bad that the states residents were forced to travel around the United States in search of food and shelter. The surroundings states shared food with each other in order to survive.
Out of Control
Riots
Gold Rush
The last historical event in California was the California Gold Rush. In 1848, a man named Marshall found shiny specks of rock in the water and he discovered it was gold. Although he wanted to keep his discovery a secret, some rumors were told and people throughout the world came to find the gold. In 1850, the population grew from 15,000 to 100,000! The population grew so fast that California had to grow more crops in order to survive. Because of the population growth, California became the thirty-first state.
The second historical event in California was the outbreak of the Zoot Suit riots . In 1940, Mexican people wore different clothes than other people and violence erupted. Some Mexican/Mexican American kids couldn't go to certain schools because of these clothes. Some police officers arrested men who wore these suits that were famously called Zoot Suits. These suits were high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, and a long coat with wide lapels and wide padded shoulder. Most people who wore these clothes usually got beat up or worse, killed!
Court
There are three levels of courts in California. The highest is the supreme court which holds most of the trials. The supreme court has a chief justice and six other associate justices.
Governement
The local Government in California has more than 100 cities under local charters. Fifty-eight counties, most of which, have a form of government specified by laws of state.
Excecutive
California became a state on September 9, 1850. It is also the thirty first state in the United States. The governor today is Edmund G. Brown and he is the chief executive in the executive branch.
​The governor serves a four year term and can only be elected once. The governor carries out laws voted on by the state. The Legislatures job is to pass state laws and there are forty to eighty people in each house of representatives.
Legislatuve
The seal depicts an ancient roman goddess of wisdom Minerva. At Minervas feet is a grizzly because grizzlies were common in the California gold rush. In the background of the seal, the Sierra Nevada mountain range can be seen. Also, at the top of the seal, the word eureka which means I have found it
The State flag became the flag in 1911. There is a bear in the center of the flag because grizzlies were common in the wild of California. In the background of the flag is a red star which is an imitation of lone star of the texas flag.
This history is a major part of California and it is important to know about it. It includes Native Americans, Explorers, Settlers, three major events, and their Government. This was about life long ago and about life today. Today many people come to California and I hope in the future people will get to know how important a states history is.