PRESENTATION – EARLY CALIFORNIA ECONOMY

 

I  Juan Cabrillo sails into Ventura Harbor area in 1542.  Contrast Spanish Ships and Tomols.  Spanish appearance and Chumash.

 

1. Cabrillo – purpose of voyage
2. Sir Francis Drake – purpose of voyage

 

II.  Chumash Economy and Society

 

1. No written history.
   1. Explorer’s reports
   2. Mission records
   3. Interviews with descendants.  Huntington.
   4. Archaeological digs
2. Human habitation on coast and islands for thousands of years.
   1. No universal name for various groups
   2. Middens and artifacts
   3. Possibly earliest human remains found in No. America
3. Chumash had complex society
   1. No iron.  Used no pottery.
   2. Food, clothing, tools, etc.
   3. Trade

a)    Shisholop a hub

b)    Evidence of long-distance trading

c)     Island travel

1)   Steatite from Santa Catalina Island

2)   Shell money from San Miguel Island

1. Tomol

a)    Importance to trade

b)    Construction

c)     Paddling

 

III.  Mission Era

 

1. Mission Policy – World Power and Religious Fervor
   1. Father Junipero Serra and Captain Portola
   2. Remoteness of California – importance of shipping
2. Impact on the Chumash people
3. Introduction of farming and animal husbandry
4. Whaling ships – Dana
5. Influence of Mexico

 

 

IV.  Rancho Era

 

1. Land Grants
2. Importance of Hides and Tallow
3. Chumash vaqueros, etc.
4. Self-reliance of population
5. Industrial Revolution occurring in Europe and other countries

 

V.  California under United States

 

1. Weather changes that effect Cattle Industry
2. Introduction of various crops
3. Building of Wharf in Hueneme
4. Lumber Industry
5. Shipbuilding
6. Fishing and Abalone
   1. Chinese hunt abalone
   2. Japanese hunt abalone – diving equipment
7. Oil Industry
8. Military