Conquest of California

Conquest of California

The Conquest of California was an important part of the Mexican–American War. It happened in a place called Alta California, which is now the state of California. Back then, Alta California belonged to Mexico.

From 1846 to 1847, soldiers from the United States went to Alta California to take control. They fought against people known as the Californios, who were local leaders there.

The fighting ended in 1847 when leaders from both sides signed something called the Treaty of Cahuenga. This treaty helped end the conflict and changed the history of California forever.

Background

When war started between the United States and Mexico on May 13, 1846, it took almost three months for the news to reach the west coast. A U.S. official in Monterey tried to stop fighting between American settlers and the small Mexican army there.

In December 1845, U.S. Army Captain John C. Frémont led about 60 armed men across the Sierra Nevada mountains. By May 1846, he reached the Oregon Territory after hearing that war might begin soon.

Bear Flag Revolt

Main article: Bear Flag Revolt

On June 14, 1846, about 30 American settlers took over a small Mexican building in Sonoma, north of San Francisco Bay. They did this because they were worried they might be forced to leave. They made a new flag and called their area the California Republic. Eleven days later, Frémont and his men arrived to help the settlers. Though they did not create a full government, this event is remembered in California history. The state’s current flag is based on the flag they used back then.

Northern California

Before the Mexican–American War, the United States made sure its navy had enough ships in the Pacific Ocean. It took many months to travel from the east coast of the United States to the Pacific, so the navy had to be ready early. The ships got supplies from places like the Sandwich Islands and the coast of Alta California.

When fighting between Mexico and the United States began, Commodore John Drake Sloat, leader of the Pacific Squadron, sent his ships to take control of ports in northern Alta California. His ships captured the city of Monterey on July 7, 1846, without any fighting. Two days later, they took Yerba Buena, which is now San Francisco, also without fighting. On July 29, Commodore Robert F. Stockton took over as leader. He had many marines and sailors, the largest U.S. ground force in California at the time.

Commodore Stockton asked Captain John C. Frémont to gather volunteers to help keep the cities secure. Frémont got more volunteers than asked for. The American forces, including marines, sailors, and local volunteers, quickly took control of cities and ports in northern California such as Monterey, San Francisco, Sonoma, Sutter's Fort, and New Helvetia. Almost all of these places were taken without any fighting. Some southern areas were also taken quickly with very little fighting.

Southern California

Californios and the war

Before the United States took control, about 1,500 men and 6,500 women and children of Spanish and Mexican background lived in Alta California, known as Californios. Many lived near the small Pueblo of Los Angeles, today’s Los Angeles. Others lived on large ranches called ranchos of Alta California, given by Spanish and Mexican leaders.

Most of the around 800 American and other immigrants were men living in northern California. They wanted to leave Mexican control and did not strongly oppose the American forces led by Stockton and Frémont.

Siege of Los Angeles

Main article: Siege of Los Angeles

In Southern California, Mexican leaders José Castro and Governor Pío Pico left Los Angeles before American troops arrived. On August 13, 1846, American forces entered Los Angeles without fighting, making it seem like California was now under U.S. control. However, the small group of American soldiers left behind ruled harshly.

On September 29, local Californios, led by José María Flores, fought back and forced the small American group to leave the city. Soon after, 200 more American soldiers arrived but were defeated on October 8 at the Battle of Dominguez Rancho near Rancho San Pedro.

Later in November, General Stephen W. Kearny and his 100 soldiers reached the Colorado River after a difficult journey. On December 6, they fought in the Battle of San Pasqual near San Diego.

Stockton helped Kearny’s group, and together they moved north from San Diego into the Los Angeles Basin in early January 1847. They fought the Californios in the Battle of Rio San Gabriel on January 8 and again the next day in the Battle of La Mesa. On January 12, the last group of Californios surrendered, ending the fighting in Alta California.

Aftermath

The Treaty of Cahuenga was signed on January 13, 1847, ending the fighting in Alta California. Leaders from both sides created this treaty, and it marked the end of battles in the area.

The Pacific Coast Campaign involved soldiers from New York who traveled to California by sea. They joined forces already there and helped secure the region.

The Mormon Battalion was a group of volunteers who marched a long distance from Iowa to San Diego. They arrived in early 1847 and helped build and protect places in southern California.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in February 1848, officially ended the larger war between the United States and Mexico. Mexico gave up Alta California and other lands to the United States.

The conquest caused hard times for the native people of California. Many faced sad and difficult situations during this period.

Timeline of events

The Conquest of California, also called the California Campaign, was part of the Mexican–American War. It took place in the area now known as California from 1846 to 1847. American forces fought against local Californio forces. The conflict ended when leaders from both sides signed the Treaty of Cahuenga.