History of California before 1900

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Part of a series on the
History of California
Periods
Before 1900 Province of Las Californias Alta California California Republic Conquest of California Interim governments California Gold Rush Since 1900
Topics
Maritime Wine Newspapers Bread Railroads Highways Slavery Eugenics Oil
Cities
Anaheim Chico Fresno Los Angeles Oakland Pasadena Piedmont Riverside Sacramento San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Jose Santa Barbara Santa Monica Visalia
Regions
Bay Area San Fernando Valley Santa Catalina Island Yosemite
Bibliographies
Bibliography of California history Bibliography of Los Angeles
California portal
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Human history in California began when indigenous Americans first arrived some 13,000 years ago. Coastal exploration by the Spanish began in the 16th century, with further European settlement along the coast and in the inland valleys following in the 18th century. California was part of New Spain until that kingdom dissolved in 1821, becoming part of Mexico until the Mexican–American War (1846–1848), when it was ceded to the United States under the terms of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The same year, the California Gold Rush began, triggering intensified U.S. westward expansion. California joined the Union as a free state via the Compromise of 1850. By the end of the 19th century, California was still largely rural and agricultural, with a population of about 1.4 million.