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California Essay A couple of centuries ago California was distant wasteland with vast deserts and a long sandy coast, it seem unsuitable for living. Today it is a cultural hub of the United States and all its success can be attributed to the ethnic minorities that broke ground in California despite discrimination, violence, and imprisonment. California is unique in that it is one of the few place where industry (mining and lumber) came before agricultural. While the force which brought people to California was the Gold Rush in 1849, it was the lush fertile soil and moderate temperatures which kept people here. African Americans (Frankel 227 -240) In 1849 California was made a state. It was considered a free state which meant that slavery was prohibited. However, there were several â€Å"strings†, which effected African American civil rights, that went along with the title free state. After California became a state, one of the first actions by the state legislature was to deny black citizens the right to vote. Additionally they could not testify against a white person, they could not be formally educated, and they could not own land. Californias African American population was very politically active and held several meetings in the north in hopes of stimulating political change and freedom for black people in the state (1855-1865). The state of California also had a fugitive slave law. Which required slaves that were in California illegally to be given back to their owners. African Americans in the years leading up to the World War II were extremely active in the advance of mining, lumber, and agriculture. Black populations could be found everywhere in minor territory and many of the areas were named â€Å"Negro Bar, Negro Flat, and Nigger Ravin. these were obvious reminders of how their presence in these areas were not welcomed. This is a time in which African Americans had to use not just physical strength but intellect to protect what was rightfully theirs. Remember, African Americans could not testify in court. This means that if any white man should do them hard or steal from them, there was nothing that would be done. In many mines, blacks and whites, worked side by side. Many black men even owned their own mines that were extremely successful. Farming was the basis of Californias economy. When white Americans came to California and set up their experimental farms they targeted southern blacks for employment. They were a source of low waged labor and therefore African Americans were among the first farmers to work with the crops which have made California unique. In 1905 cotton fields were introduced to California. Blacks and Mexican immigrants exclusively worked these fields in Imperial County. The majority of these blacks had come from southern states and were not surprised by the racism that was presence in California. African Americans had to compete for jobs with Mexican immigrants. However, seasonal crop jobs were only a resting point for African American workers who wanted more. These contract jobs were only a means to help African American families move and establish themselves in California. Soon blacks moved forward becoming entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and farm owners. Black people opened business in towns that were flooded because of the gold rush. San Francisco was the hub of most African American businesses. These business flourished until the mining towns closed down and these areas where flooded with the white population who felt superior and opened competitive businesses. White patrons of black owned stores were force through societal rules to switch to white stores. Again, African Americans were told to go back to service oriented jobs. Systematic racism was back in full form by 1920s, restricting African Americans to specific living and working districts. However it is important to point out there African Americans migrated to California and settled areas which were deemed unsuitable for life. Once they prospered the whites would move in and push out the blacks. Based on this cyclic approach to development and grow California was created on the backs of talented and industrious black people who carved life into the deserts and wastelands that California originally was. Native Americans (Trafzer and Hyer 80- 91) In 1848 California became an official territory of the United States. Soon after gold was found and people from across the country came to California to become rich and have a better life. Most whites viewed Native Americans as a nuisance and on top of that as cheap labor they could exploit for their own gains. There was also a law against Native Americans testifying against whites. Between the years 1850 and 1863 could lend out â€Å"indians† who had been arrested. Essentially Native Americans were imprisoned and then used for free labor just like a slave. Ironic in that California was supposed to be a free state. Children were also kidnapped for labor because they were much easier to manipulate then adults. During 1850 through 1887 Indian Reservations were set up for the first time. The agreement that the Native Americans had with the government was they were allowed 7. million acres of land in California but just under 500k were given over to the Native Americans. Much of the reservations were infertile land that could not be farmed. It was not until after 1905 that Native Americans, specifically the next generation, wanted to take an active role in the decisions that effected them. Lost treaties were discovered which allowed Native Americans to claim land and rights that was theirs. These included the right to education, and citizenship. However, the United States government believed that because the Native Americans had not acted quickly enough those conditions were null and void. Essential the government said it was the Native Americans fault for not being pro-active when the treaties were originally drawn up (Heizer 232). It was the force labor or slavery of Native Americans which began Californias semi-feudal economy. Chinese Americans (Wyatt 50-100) The Chinese Americans living in California today have a long history of being residents of California. Some of them are from sixth generation Chinese Americans. Despite racial violent, restrictive legislation and almost no advancement opportunities, Chinese Americans have no just flourished but found a place in the California social landscape. Chinese immigrants came from China and move into San Francisco. There was a great deal of confusion over if Chinese immigrants could become citizens – some where allowed and some werent. Chinese immigrants who were not allowed to become citizens had no rights and therefore could not stake a claim during the Gold Rush. Many of the Chinese people reworked old mines because they could not have their own. In additional there was also a fee of $20 that foreign miners had to pay if they wanted to work a mine. The Chinese too were greeted with violet discrimination. In 1856, a group of white miners raced into the a Chinese American mining community destroying property and killing miners. Despite the violence and the inability to mine gold successfully, Chinese immigrants from work elsewhere – merchants, laborers, and laundrymen. Fishing was one of the industries which Chinese Americans helped promote. Early on there was almost no demand for shrimp in the states much of it was frozen and sent back to China. Soon there was a demand for shrimp in California and Chinese immigrants were pressured by the white competition to buy licenses, make Chinese techniques illegal, and several other things. Making it virtually impossible for Chinese fishermen to make a living fishing, while white fishermen thrived. Chinese immigrants were also the main workers in canneries. They open up and worked in the states first cigar shops and factories. Chinese Americans were also responsible for starting up the first wineries in California, and had the skills for growing and processing delicate crops like wheat, hops, apples, grapes, and pears. The Chinese also worked on the roads throughout California as well as the Central Pacific Railroad. There were several forms of legislation which subordinated the efforts of Chinese Americans in making new lives in California. On top of that the depression that occurred in 1870, was said to be caused directly from the cheap labor of Chinese workers. Following the depression there were several instances of racial violence which lead up to the anti-Chinese movement. This was done in attempt to squeeze Chinese run laundries out of business. It is clear that Chinese Americans played an important role in the growth of Californias economy and are responsible for the birth of the orange and grape crops that make California grape country . Japanese Americans (Chapman 31-42) The history of Japanese Americans in California and what they have contributed to Californias economy is often biased focusing heavily on the vast discrimination they suffered at the hands of the white majority. While their victimization is important it not more important then their vital contributions. Much of their reaction to the various forms of discrimination too the form of strikes, protests, and the constant fight against adversity to become successful in America. Japanese Americans were responsible for the establishment of the flower industry in California. They own, worked at, and grow almost all the flowers and plants sold in California in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They established still existed organizations including the Southern California Flower Market, the California Flower Market, Luck Produce, and the City Market in Los Angeles. Several Japanese business cater to agricultural workers supplying food, lodging, and general merchandise stores. They also helped the agricultural economy of California grow including grapes, fruit trees, strawberries, and several different strains of rice. Japanese Americans not only grew but also prepared and shipped produce across the state. It is clear that Japanese Americans were instrumental in pushing California semi feudal economy into the modern day capitalistic economy of California. Filipinos (Fehrenbacher 160 – 165) The history of Filipinos in California truly begins in 1848 when California annexed. During this time Filipinos found works as general laborers who were paid an extremely low wage. Often workers would have to travel farm to farm, as seasonal work came and went. Many Filipinos moved into larger cities in California but found little work because they were only skilled in agriculture. Due to discrimination and no education , Filipinos were pushed out of their unskilled labor jobs by the influx of immigrants from the Dust Bowl. This is one of the few instances were a ethnic group saw downward mobility in terms of work and then lifestyle. Filipinos have a rich history of being hat makers and tailors but in the hostile white dominating environment of late 1880s California, they existed no longer. Most Filipinos could only find work as ranch hands who were supervised by whites. While Filipinos males struggled in the economy of California, females flourished and were hired as domestics, farm laborers, laundresses, and cannery workers. As the job market for every ethnic group became smaller the white attitude toward Mexicans changed. Previously, Filipinos had been welcomed into the agricultural market as important components and contributors. But soon Mexicans were seem and treated like excess labor. Again Californias agricultural industry was built on the backs of these immigrants and when there was no more work for them, they were cast aside and considered (and it seems still considered economic liabilities).