🏞️Indigenous Peoples of California Unit 5 – Mexican Rule and Mission Secularization

Key Players and Historical Context

• Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a decade-long struggle led by key figures such as Miguel Hidalgo and Agustín de Iturbide
• The Mexican War of Independence was influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment and the American and French Revolutions
• Spain's weakened control over its colonies due to the Napoleonic Wars provided an opportunity for Mexico to seek independence
• The Plan of Iguala, proposed by Agustín de Iturbide, established the basis for an independent Mexican monarchy
• The Treaty of Córdoba, signed in 1821, recognized Mexico's independence from Spain
• Mexico's early post-independence period was marked by political instability and frequent changes in leadership
• The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a federal republic and divided the country into states and territories, including Alta California

Mexican Independence and Its Impact on California

• Alta California became a territory of the newly independent Mexico in 1821
• The change in governance from Spain to Mexico brought new policies and attitudes towards the region and its inhabitants
• Mexico's early republican period was characterized by political instability, which affected its ability to effectively govern distant territories like California
• The Mexican government sought to increase its control and presence in California through various means, such as appointing governors and encouraging Mexican settlement
• The secularization of the California missions, initiated by the Mexican government, aimed to reduce the power of the Catholic Church and redistribute mission lands
• Mexican independence led to increased trade and interaction between California and other parts of Mexico, as well as foreign nations
• The Mexican government's policies towards indigenous peoples in California varied, with some attempts at integration and assimilation, while also perpetuating existing power structures

Mission System Under Mexican Rule

• The California mission system, established under Spanish rule, initially remained in place during the early years of Mexican governance
• The missions served as centers of religious conversion, economic production, and social control over indigenous populations
• The Mexican government viewed the mission system as a remnant of Spanish colonialism and sought to reduce the power and influence of the Catholic Church
• Debates emerged within the Mexican government regarding the future of the missions and the treatment of indigenous peoples
• The Secularization Act of 1833, passed by the Mexican Congress, called for the distribution of mission lands to indigenous peoples and the conversion of missions into parish churches
• The implementation of the secularization process was often haphazard and inconsistent, leading to confusion and conflict
• Many indigenous people, who had become dependent on the mission system, faced new challenges and uncertainties as the missions were secularized

Secularization Process and Policies

• The secularization of the California missions involved the transfer of mission lands and assets from the Catholic Church to the Mexican government and private individuals
• The Secularization Act of 1833 outlined the process for distributing mission lands, with the intention of granting plots to indigenous peoples and Mexican settlers
• The Mexican government appointed administrators, known as comisionados, to oversee the secularization process and manage the distribution of mission properties
• The secularization policies aimed to reduce the power of the Catholic Church, promote Mexican settlement in California, and integrate indigenous populations into Mexican society
• In practice, the secularization process often favored Mexican settlers and elite Californios, who acquired large tracts of former mission lands through land grants (ranchos)
• Many indigenous people, despite being promised land and resources, were left landless and forced to work as laborers on the newly established ranchos
• The secularization process disrupted the traditional social and economic structures of indigenous communities, leading to displacement and marginalization

Effects on Indigenous Communities

• The secularization of the California missions had significant impacts on indigenous communities
• Indigenous people, who had been forced to live and work in the missions, faced new challenges as the mission system was dismantled
• Many indigenous people were left landless and without access to the resources and support provided by the missions
• The disruption of traditional social and family structures, as well as the loss of cultural practices and languages, had long-lasting effects on indigenous communities
• Some indigenous people were able to acquire small plots of land through the secularization process, but many were forced to work as laborers on Mexican ranchos
• The spread of European diseases, coupled with the hardships faced during the secularization period, led to significant population declines among indigenous communities
• The secularization process exacerbated existing power imbalances and contributed to the marginalization and dispossession of indigenous peoples in California

Land Redistribution and Ranchos

• The secularization of the California missions led to the redistribution of mission lands and the establishment of private land grants known as ranchos
• Mexican governors and officials granted large tracts of former mission lands to prominent Mexican settlers and elite Californios
• The land grant system favored individuals with political connections and economic resources, often at the expense of indigenous communities
• Ranchos were primarily used for cattle ranching and agriculture, with the owners relying on the labor of indigenous people and Mexican workers
• The rancho system perpetuated social and economic inequalities, with a small group of elite landowners controlling vast amounts of land and resources
• Some indigenous people were able to acquire small plots of land through the secularization process, but many were forced to work as laborers on the ranchos
• The concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few elite families laid the foundation for the Californio society and economy that would persist until the American conquest of California in the late 1840s

Indigenous Resistance and Adaptation

• Indigenous communities in California responded to the challenges posed by Mexican rule and the secularization of the missions in various ways
• Some indigenous groups engaged in armed resistance against Mexican authorities and settlers, seeking to protect their lands and way of life
• The Chumash Revolt of 1824, led by a Chumash leader named Estanislao, was a significant example of indigenous resistance against Mexican rule
• Other indigenous communities adapted to the changing circumstances by forging alliances with Mexican settlers or seeking employment on ranchos
• Some indigenous people used legal channels to assert their rights and protect their interests, such as petitioning the Mexican government for land grants or redress of grievances
• Indigenous communities also sought to maintain their cultural practices and identities in the face of assimilation pressures and the erosion of traditional social structures
• The secularization period saw the emergence of new forms of indigenous leadership and political organization, as communities navigated the challenges of Mexican rule
• Despite the significant challenges and losses faced by indigenous communities, many continued to resist, adapt, and assert their agency in the face of colonization and dispossession

Legacy and Long-term Consequences

• The Mexican period and the secularization of the California missions had lasting impacts on the region and its indigenous communities
• The dispossession of indigenous lands and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of Mexican settlers and Californios set the stage for future conflicts and inequalities
• The erosion of traditional indigenous social structures and the loss of cultural practices and languages had long-term consequences for the identity and well-being of indigenous communities
• The marginalization and exploitation of indigenous peoples during the Mexican period contributed to ongoing struggles for land rights, cultural preservation, and political self-determination
• The legacy of the mission system and the secularization process can still be seen in the built environment of California, with many former mission sites serving as important cultural and historical landmarks
• The Mexican period in California laid the foundation for the region's transition to American rule following the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848
• The complex history of colonization, resistance, and adaptation during the Mexican period continues to shape the experiences and identities of indigenous communities in California to this day