California History Timeline

By mishmishie
  • José de Gálvez plans expedition to settle Alta California

    José de Gálvez plans expedition to settle Alta California

  • First mission (Mission San Diego de Alcala) was established

    First mission (Mission San Diego de Alcala) was established

  • Spain had a settler-colonist presence in California for three years

  • Spanish Army officer Jose Francisco Ortega establish Presidio

  • The Federal government adopted third of the Northwest Ordinances

  • Spanish Constitution of 1812: Indigenous and colonial born subjects granted full citizenship

    Spanish Constitution of 1812: Indigenous and colonial born subjects granted full citizenship

  • Mexico gains independence after decades -long struggle

  • Chumash revolt of 1824: Chumash fight against the Spanish and Mexican presence in their lands

    Chumash revolt of 1824: Chumash fight against the Spanish and Mexican presence in their lands

  • Colonization Act of 1824: Promises made to colonists to receive land if they are willing to move to California

    Colonization Act of 1824: Promises made to colonists to receive land if they are willing to move to California

  • Estanislao's War (1828-1829)

  • California missions begin secularization process

  • Hide and tallow trade (1840-1860)

    Hide and tallow trade (1840-1860)

  • Donner Party snowbound in the Sierra Nevada (1846-1847)

    Donner Party snowbound in the Sierra Nevada (1846-1847)

  • Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

    Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

  • Bear Flag Rebellion

    Bear Flag Rebellion

  • President Polk declared war on Mexico

  • Treaty of Cahuenga and End of War in California

  • Gold was first discovered

    Gold was first discovered

  • California becomes part of U.S. territory

  • California became a state

  • California Land Act of 1851: Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Californios were allowed to keep their land

    California Land Act of 1851: Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Californios were allowed to keep their land

  • The Know Nothing party prevailed throughout California

  • Chinese workers are used in the construction of the San Jose Railroad

  • Congress passes the Pacific Railroad Bill

  • The Central Pacific Railroad begins work

  • First transcontinental railroad

    The impact of Transcontinental Railroad altered the destiny of America and also changed the fate of many laborers especially the Chinese

  • Los Angeles Massacre

  • Chinese Exclusion Act

    Chinese Exclusion Act

    Federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur, prohibiting all immigration of Chinese laborers
  • Wounded Knee Massacre

    Wounded Knee Massacre