1821 - Mexican Independence
1833 - Mission Secularization Begins
1846 - Californios Battle US Army
1848 - Mexican-American War Ends
The years Los Angeles were part of Mexico were marked by political chaos and continued dominance of the hide and tallow industry. The local missions continued to slowly grow, but the Mexican government pursued a policy of secularization which allowed church-owned buildings and lands to become the property of powerful locals and military elites. The neophyte Indians were not only turned out of the missions, and their lands were not returned. With their culture disrupted and their traditional economy destroyed, the remaining Indians turned to urban life. The local economy continues to be largely focused on subsistence agriculture, with hides and tallow making up the the only notable export.
Los Angeles became the capital of the southern part of Alta California when Pio Pico moved qq here.
In 1846, tensions with the growing population of American immigrants erupt into a series of rebellions that preview and become part of the Mexican-American War fought between local Californios and U.S. Army forces. After several battles, the Californios sign a sort of peace treaty with the Americans ending the local conflict more than a year before the official end of the war.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_secularization_act_of_1833
1821. Mexican Era begins (lasts 26 years)
Secularization of mission.
Mission lands
Some lands went back to Tongva, but most quality land to the powerful people of the region.
Indians and pobladores got little; and often became peasants
Pio Pico b. 1801 at San Gabriel Mission
At 31 become Governor of Alta California… concealed his appointment as governor for four months….didn’t want to be governor. Knew the Americans were coming for California, and that they were powerless to stop it.
1820s - Italians begin arriving - it was both similar in climate and culture on the west coast than on the East Coast which was protestant (largely) and Anglo-German.
Italian elements are still evident in the Pueblo area.
The French also were attracted to the climate and culture of So Cal...winemaking was well recieved here.
Early area that is now San Pedro Bay was a mud flats, with islands and no ideal anchorage.
75,000 Acre Rancho San Pedro….started as a cow hides “California Bank Notes”....otter pelts
20-30 ships per year
Dead man’s island, rattlesnake island - barriers to navigation.
Lousy port / bay...too shallow...anchorage was generally made out from the port and they would have to use dingies to move people and goods to and from the clipper ships.
Read: TWo Years Before the Mast San Pedro “The Hell of california”...
San Francisco: good port /harbor