California. [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographical references.

California's rapid rise -- The land and its influence -- The Indians -- Spanish foundations -- Discovery of California -- Exploration renewed -- The Jesuit missions -- Baja California -- Planting the colony -- The formative years -- Local annals -- A Mexican province -- The coming of the traders -- Mountain men -- Pioneers -- American acquisition -- Gold -- A new economy -- Political experiment -- Vigilantes and filibusters -- Land titles -- Liquidating the Indians -- Cultural awakening -- Stages and steamers -- Building the Pacific railroad -- Social unrest -- The New South -- Broadening the economic base -- The second generation -- Political reform -- Class conflict -- Prosperity -- Depression -- Things cultural -- Wartime growth -- Peace and its problems -- The scene at midcentury -- A commentary on California and additional references.

Includes information on Juan Bautista Anza, Jr., Apache Indians, Architecture, pearls and pearl fishing, Concepcion Arguello, cattle and cattle raising, Chinese, furs and fur trade, discovery of gold, Alexander Baranof, California Indians, lynch law, mines and mining, missions, Poney Express, presidios, construction of the transcontinental railroad, Russia and the Russians, Russian American Fur Company, Nikolai Rezanof, etc.