The California Frontier Project

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“Follow the Money”: Interview with Marie Christine Duggan (Part 2)

By Damian Bacich

In this second part of the interview we learn about what studying economic history can reveal about the past. In particular, we learn about California’s early connections to the Far East, and how competition over the fur trade created some unusual rivalries and alliances. Highlights of Part 2: Franciscan views of money and morality. The […]

Filed Under: Early Land and Sea Routes, Native Americans, Podcast Episodes, Resources, Soldiers and Presidios, Spain, Spanish Exploration and Colonization, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Chumash, José de la Guerra y Noriega, Manila Galleon, Mission Dolores, Mission San Luis Obispo, Otter Trade, Philipines

Early Exploration of California (Part 1 of 2)

By Damian Bacich

Why did Spanish Explorers Come to California? Spanish mariners began exploring the Pacific coast of North America in the early 16th century in hopes of finding new civilizations to join their empire.

Filed Under: Early Land and Sea Routes, Podcast Episodes, Spain, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: Balboa, Cabrillo, Cortez, Drake, Ulloa, Vizcaíno

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo: California’s First Tourist

By Damian Bacich

What did Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo do and why is he important? Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo is best known for being the first European to successfully navigate the Pacific coast of what is today California to points north of the San Francisco Bay. During the voyage, he and his men disembarked at several points and made direct […]

Filed Under: Early Land and Sea Routes, Hispanic Heritage, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: Channel Islands, Chumash, Kumeyaay, Point Reyes, Rodriguez Cabrillo, San Diego, San Salvador, Strait of Anián

Exploration and Settlement of California (Part 2 of 2)

By Damian Bacich

Juan Bautista de Anza

For most of the 17th and 18th centuries, Spanish ships dominated the Pacific. But her rivals Russia and England were busy contesting that dominance. Who would be the first to settle California?

Filed Under: Early Land and Sea Routes, European Settlements, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: Anza, Bering, Cook, Gálvez, Junipero Serra, Portolá

I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I started the California Frontier Project. Learn more about me and the project here.

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