History of California (Rise of Roses)

The  California Republic is a country in western North America. Once inhabited by Native Americans, it was later colonized by Spain. Later a part of Mexico, California experienced two revolutions to win its independence.

Prelude to War and the Bear Flag Revolt
By the 1840s, a majority of what is now California was under the control of Mexico. Some 10 years earlier, settlers in Texas revolted and won their independence from Mexico. Most settlers in California, like in Texas, were white and from the United States. These white settlers were undermined by the Mexican government in terms of land rights. Thus, they too desired a republic. In Sonoma in 1846, William B. Ide declared California to be a republic. This started the so-called Bear Flag Revolt. However, these rebels were very ill-equipped and untrained. Neverthless, Mexico violently put the rebellion down. The only thing that remained in Sonoma after the townspeople fled was a flag with a bear on it. The Mexican troops didn't take it down as they left the town, making it a rebellious symbol.

California War of Independence
After the brief revolt in 1846, the Mexican Army began a crackdown on possible rebels in California. Their guns (and sometimes land) were taken away. Over time, the Californians became very unsettled. On June 14th, 1852, the old William B. Ide yet again appeared; this time in Sacramento. At a rally, he presented to the Californian people the very same flag that waved at Sonoma. The locals were inspired, and a republic was yet again declared. The California War of Independence had begun. This time, the Californians had allies. Native Americans living in Mexican territory felt mistreated, and desired freedom as well. Texas, feeling sympathetic to the settlers (as they were in a similiar situation as the Texans were in 1835), sent arms and funds to the rebels. However, the Texan government also wanted lands in the west the Mexicans held monopolies on. The rebels first attacked the town of Monterey just a week later, shockingly defeating the Mexicans. But the victory was short-lived; the rebel stronghold of Los Angeles fell and 14 settlers were massacred at Dominguez Rancho. It seemed this revolt would yet again be brought down quickly. However, the Californians rebounded by with victories in the San Pasqual Valley and Rio San Gabriel. Los Angeles was under rebel control by September. Meanwhile, Mexico's military leader (General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna) was struggling to keep power for many reasons. Troops were sporadically taken out of California to aid against a coup. By November, most Mexican troops were out of California. The few that remained near the Texan border were largely defeated at Tucson. On December 7th, Santa Anna (on the brink of an overthrow) ceded certain lands to the Californians and surrendered. He fell out of power for a 10th time. California was free at last.

The Republic Grows
California was sparsely populated, but news of freedom brought once hesitant settlers in the U.S. wanting to settle in California after all. Ide died 12 days after independence; a national hero. A California National Assembly was established to declare a leader (Robert F. Stockton), but decreed that there would be elections in a year. John C. Fremont won these elections. Meanwhile, Texas took large part of eastern California for itself. The small and ramshackle Californian Army could do nothing. The Fremont government countered using diplomacy. Backed by the U.S. (who were sending immigrants in droves to settle in California), Fremont negotiated a border line that gave only a portion of land to Texas. The somewhat unstable former Mexican territory obliged. This earned Fremont a lot popularity. California expanded its land into once wild and Indian land. Many Native American groups, including those who fought alongside the rebels, were very angry with this. Thus, in 1855, Fremont issued the Indian Lands Act, which gave parcels of the Californian countryside to Native Americans. The Navajo, for instance got a large amount of landing agreeing peacefully. But groups like the Apache did not, thus setting the stage for the Californian Indian Wars. However, the act surprisingly did not favour the settlers or Native Americans. This lead to a loss in popularity for Fremont. In 1857, the second Californian elections were held, with Fremont was re-elected.

California Gold Rush and the Indian Wars
In 1859, James W. Marshall found gold northeast of Sacramento. Within months, prospectors were pouring into California. The second population sprout had begun. Many arrived in the port of San Francisco, making the town very important (and also the largest in the country). The California Gold Rush resulted in an economic boom in the young country. It is generally said to have lasted until 1866. However, prospectors were coming into conflict with Native Americans over land with gold. Though some Indians actually used this to their advantage and prospected themselves, many either fought back or moved off. In 1860, members of the Apache tribe attacked a settlement named San Carlos. The Californian Army fought back with force. Unlike the United States, the Californian military wasn't as well equipped or large to easily defeat the Indians like the Americans did. California remained at odds with the Apache for 20 years. Elsewhere, the Indian Land Act became harder to enforce and Fremont dropped out of the presidential race in 1861. The young John McDougall was elected instead. He decided to not enforce the land act as much, and Indians who were easily defeated couldn't get land. But those that were successful in defeating the army would get land grants. Thus, it was a literal fight for land. McDougall was re-elected in 1865, but died 4 months later. His Vice President Peter Hardeman Burnett took over. In the end, the California Gold Rush had both good and bad effects depending on who you were.

The Mormon War
While dealing with the Native Americans over land was negotiable (and sometimes very smooth), the Mormons who settled around Salt Lake in the north were very different. They refused to give up land, claimed a large portion of California as the god-given nation of Deseret, but never actually fought. By 1868, Burnett and his government were failing to stop further Mormon settlement. California was mostly Roman Catholic, but many people believed in freedom of religion. In fact, William B. Ide himself was a Mormon. Californians just couldn't understand why Native Americans and not Mormons were treated as equal (to an extent). That year, Burnett authorized military action against Mormon settlers. The Mormon leader Brigham Young decided to establish the Holy Army of Deseret. Fighting mostly took place in the north of California, and Native American tribes took sides. Fighting was very limited after the Mormons, proving terrible soldiers, fled back to their stronghold in Salt Lake City. Burnett gave Young an ultimatum: give up your arms and renounce your claims, and we will give you some land. But the Mormons were unhappy with the small amount of land that Burnett proposed. Negotiations stopped when the Mountain Meadows Incident occured. On September 8th, 1868, a Californian patrol was fired upon by Mormon settlers. The soldiers responded by burning the small town of Mountain Meadows down and raping the local women. The war had re-erupted. Yet again, the Mormons were quickly defeated with little Californian casualties. This time, Burnett decided to be more stern; threatening an assault on Salt Lake City. Brigham Young shockingly refused. Salt Lake City was bombarded on October 7th by the Californian Army. Mormons, along with young, fled north to the border with Canada. The Second Mormom Exodus had begun. However, some Mormons stayed behind. Thus, the St. George Massacre occured. On December 2nd, a small group of Mormons in St. George were found praying at the ruins of a Mormon church. When refusing to leave (as they were in prayer), the police brutally attacked and killed the 21 Mormons inside the church. After, the last of the Mormons left California for Canada. This served as a major blow to Burnett, who lost the 1869 election to Milton Latham. He was about to lead California to many changes.

Age of Reform (The Milton Latham Presidency)
Two very important legislations were brought forth by Latham in his first year in office. First was the Electoral Reform Act. At the time, California had absolutely no subdivisions; people simply voted at the nearest town with a polling station. Thus, despite his overwhelming unpopularity, Burnett still managed to capture 46% of the vote. Latham noticed this, and suspected vote fraud. On January 8th, 1870, residents of California became part of 7 new provinces. These were further divided into counties and electoral districts. Gubernational elections to elect governors were first held in May. Also, on August 13th, the California National Assembly passed the Congressional Act. The National Assembly became the lower house of the new California Congress, with the Senate as the upper house. Members of the National Assembly were elected every 2 years; Senators every 4 coinciding with the presidential elections. "Latham the Reformer" also encouraged people to settle further east; 80% of California's population lived on the Pacific Coast. This worked to an extent. Though there was some during the Gold Rush, Chinese immigration skyrocketed in the 1870s. Latham did nothing to counter this, despite opposition. Neverthless, he was re-elected in 1873. Shortly before, Latham fell out of favour for his liberal leanings and left the Republican Party (the only party in all of California) and ran as an Independent. This set the stage for the Republican Party Schism some years later. In 1874, Latham denounced the military's and government's actions during the Mormon War. Those who had participated in the crimes at St. George and Mountain Meadows were brought to justice at the Salt Lake City Trails. Burnett was acquitted of not only his actions in the Mormon War, but also for vote fraud. He fled to exile in the United States. Mormons were now allowed to return, but didn't. Brigham Young (now based in Oregon) told his followers they must fight for their territory of Deseret. This was the decree that influenced Mormon fundamentalism years later. Still, Latham officially incorporated freedom of religion into the California Constitution. He retired instead of running again in 1877: one of the most famous elections in California's history.