Subtest I: History and Social Science Study Guide for the CSET Multiple Subjects Test

California History

The final subset of history covered on this exam is that of California History. Be sure you are familiar with the following concepts and always complete your own further research if necessary.

From Pre-Columbian Period Through the Gold Rush

Before Columbus, it is estimated that over 200 different tribal groups and about 300,000 people inhabited what is today California. These people represented many diverse cultures over various geographic regions.

Geographical Influence

California is very diverse when it comes to physical geography and the landscapes have played an important role in the development of the culture, economy, and politics of each region. The main divisions according to geography are the Colorado River region, southern area, Great Basin region, central valley, northwest, and northeast regions. Each region has its own unique climate and geography that lends itself to a different agricultural, economic, political, and social development.

American Indian Peoples

Because natives in California are so diverse, it is difficult to summarize the groups as a whole. Be sure to refer back to the different regions when contextualizing native peoples in California. Each region contributed different aspects of culture such as agriculture in the south and sophisticated canoe and structure building in the northwest. On the whole, many different languages and cultures are represented.

Spanish Exploration and Colonization

The first Spanish to arrive in the area come in the mid-1500s. The largest impact the Spanish made was that of the mission system in which Catholic outposts were established in attempts to convert indeginous peoples to Christianity. The mission also acted as a permanent European settlement and thus expanded the territory of Spain. Agriculture was an important part of the mission as converts were expected to help work to support the community.

Mexican Rule

In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain. At this time, California was considered a territory of Mexico and thus under Mexican authority and control. Under the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, the U.S. continued to expand westward. Mexico attempted to stop this expansion because they viewed the U.S. territorial gain as their territorial loss. After a U.S. victory in the Mexican-American war, California was ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Shortly thereafter, in 1850, California became a U.S. state.

The Gold Rush

The discovery of gold in California had far-reaching cultural, social, political, and economic effects. The discovery brought with it a massive influx of people from all over the world seeking to strike it rich. Towns and cities grew rapidly, and the economy boomed for a time. Native land was further infringed upon, and relationships with American Indians were strained. Eventually, as the gold ran out, ghost towns occurred as people left just as quickly as they had arrived. Many people, with no funds to travel back to where they came, were forced to settle in California and find other ways to make a living.

Since the 1850s

Since gaining statehood in 1850, California has undergone many changes and become one of the most populous and powerful states in the United States. Be sure to review the main points in California’s history below and complete further study as needed.

California Constitution

The Constitution of California, written in 1849, is one of the longest in the world and has been amended over 500 times. It originally attempted to address many of the problems California faced through its history under Spain and Mexico then later addressed abuses by big railroad companies during the progressive era, which all ultimately ended up with the provision of a lot of autonomy at city and county levels. Many look to the California Constitution as protecting far broader rights and freedoms than the U.S. Constitution.

Immigration Patterns

To identify migration patterns in California, be sure to remember the Gold Rush, the building of the trans-continental railroad, and the Dust Bowl. As a result of over-farming in the Midwest and Great Plains, many farmers moved to California in search of work (remember the Grapes of Wrath?). This influx caused social backlash but also contributed to the economy of the state.

Immigrants and the Law

California has a long history of cultural diversity and immigration. Because this area changed hands multiple times, the current population still reflects the various groups who controlled the area throughout history, including the Native Americans. Beyond this, California is still a hotspot for immigrants from Central and South America today. The state or cities within California have often defied federal law concerning immigrants. Be sure to analyze the causes and effects of these differences in opinion concerning immigration.

Cultural Diversity

California is one of the most culturally diverse states in the U.S. This is largely due to the many native tribes who live there and the unique history of California. Though a majority of California’s inhabitants are white Americans of European descent, the state has many immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. This makeup has influenced the cultural, social, and political landscape of the state.

Economics

California has an annual GDP higher than many countries and its economic activity varies considerably. Be sure to understand and identify each of the following economic activities:

Mining

Most famous for the Gold Rush in the 1800s, California still mines gold today in addition to silver and other minerals that add up to over $500 million annual profit. Most mining takes place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or Mojave Desert.

Large-Scale Agriculture

Agriculture in the state accounts for about 13 percent of all agricultural output in the U.S. as a whole. In other words, over one-tenth of all the crops produced in the U.S. come from California. California’s top five revenue producing agricultural products include dairy products, greenhouse and nursery products, grapes, almonds, and beef.

Entertainment

Another major industry, and one many people automatically associate with California, is entertainment. Hollywood, in Southern California, is world renowned as the center of the entertainment business. Many movies and television shows are written, filmed, and produced in Hollywood. As a result, many famous celebrities in the business live nearby.

Recreation

Due to its geographical diversity, California also offers a wide variety of recreational activities. These include a scenic seashore, national parks, and ski resorts in the north (places like Lake Tahoe), and the Sierra Mountains. The state boasts the highest elevation in the lower 48 states (Mt. Whitney) and the lowest elevation, not far away in Death Valley. In addition, large population centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco offer theme parks and other urban activities. Millions of people visit California each year for recreation.

Aerospace

Several aerospace companies, like SpaceX, have agglomerated in Los Angeles. Some companies have contracts with the U.S. government worth millions of dollars.

Electronics

Silicon Valley, just south of San Francisco, is known as a hub for high tech and electronics companies. A few of the most notable to situate here include Apple, Google, and Facebook.

International Trade

California is a top exporting state in the United States. They exported over $175 billion to nearly 230 countries worldwide in 2018.

Water Delivery System

California’s population has continued to grow rapidly for a very long time (over 100 years). The state is also a major agricultural producer and needs water to grow crops. In addition, some regions of the state are arid or semiarid. This has all led to prolonged drought and water shortages across the state and officials are faced with a growing crisis. The main challenge is getting water from the northern, more rural areas, to the southern region. A system of six main aqueducts currently distributes water to where it needs to go, but the challenges of water rights may be an issue in the future as the resource becomes more scarce.