Title: Untitled Document
Headings: 
History 383 – Dr. Gayle  Olson-Raymer
Mexican Occupation and American Conquest
Goals for today’s discussion:
Goal #2: To examine the economy of Mexican California
Goal #3: To examine the effects of Mexican rule on the California Indian population
Goal #4: To trace the various movements of foreigners into Mexican California - especially those of the Americans
End of 9/8 discussion
Goal #5: To learn about the origins of the Bear Flag Republic.
Goal #6: To examine the chronology of the origins of the Mexican-American War
And what were the consequences on the Mexican land owners in California?

Content: Control from Mexico City was sporadic a best, largely because the government did not have the money to pay soldiers. Because few Mexicans had experience with representative government, the Mexican Congress failed to set any clear policies for administering and financing its territories, ensuring that they remained destitute and poorly organized. From the beginning of Mexican rule, governors were appointed who were either unqualified or who had their own special interests in regard to California. From 1831-1836, 11 different Mexican governors came to California, as well as three other men who were appointed but whom the Californians would not permit to take office. Thus, within a short period of time, real power in California belonged to the wealthy Californios. Nevertheless, the Mexican government worked to achieve at least three political goals in California territory: To increase the Mexican population in California
To secularize the missions
To create a stable system of internal government
Let's examine each of these goals and the consequences: Increasing the Mexican population. The Mexican government needed a substantial Mexican population to maintain control over California and thus, it offered many incentives for Mexicans to immigrate, but few people took the chance. California was an impoverished backwater in the minds of most Mexicans and the new government made matters worse by enacting a policy of sentencing convicts to life in California as punishment for their crimes.