HISTORY 142A Chapter Notes - Chapter article: Littoral Zone, International Trade, Californio
Document Summary
International commerce drew ships to alta california in 1800s. Before gold rush, no one really thought of california as significant site of maritime trade. Text shows california history as product of us conquest and 20th century global forces. People tend to break california"s history into 4 parts: native, spanish, mexican, then us rule after 1848. Tends to remove region and its occupants from broader, outside influences. Spanish and mexican rule over california tended to control relationships between alta california + outside world through trade restrictions, naturalization laws, land ownership requirements >historians see alta. California was primary destination point for ships that went across the pacific. Showed that more people saw pacific as new commercial frontier. International trade in alta california really started w/ spain. Mostly spanish ships entering alta california waters before 1800 foreign ships not allowed to enter the ports. Rule was different for trade policy and commercial practice.
