Because of the diverse landscape of California, the earliest settlers adapted to the region they lived in, whether it was the redwood forests, the Pacific Ocean coastline, the Mojave Desert, snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Central Valley, or thousands of other landmasses or configurations. By the 1500s, there were over 500 tribes, with many languages and dialects.
Spaniards started populating California in the 1700s because they were afraid the Russians would claim the area (Russians were hunting otters along the Pacific coast). The Spanish also were committed to converting the natives to Christianity. In 1774, the Spanish established the city of San Francisco.
The information about the various tribal groups of California was very interesting reading, and all new to me. It is only logical that different tribes would have different cultural traditions.
Then the narrative picks up speed while discussing the change in ownership of California, from Mexico to the US (through the Mexican-American War). Then things move even faster through the 1900s and 2000s.
I enjoyed learning about the tribal groups and the early history of California. However, much of this book was constantly reminding the reader of our racism and how America doesn't give ethnic groups a fair chance. Frankly, it got very old. Those things occurred in another place and time. We can only learn to do better; I resent being pilloried for others' sins.
Spaniards started populating California in the 1700s because they were afraid the Russians would claim the area (Russians were hunting otters along the Pacific coast). The Spanish also were committed to converting the natives to Christianity. In 1774, the Spanish established the city of San Francisco.
The information about the various tribal groups of California was very interesting reading, and all new to me. It is only logical that different tribes would have different cultural traditions.
Then the narrative picks up speed while discussing the change in ownership of California, from Mexico to the US (through the Mexican-American War). Then things move even faster through the 1900s and 2000s.
I enjoyed learning about the tribal groups and the early history of California. However, much of this book was constantly reminding the reader of our racism and how America doesn't give ethnic groups a fair chance. Frankly, it got very old. Those things occurred in another place and time. We can only learn to do better; I resent being pilloried for others' sins.
