California genocide facts for kids

Quick facts for kids California genocide
Part of the California Gold Rush
"Protecting The Settlers", illustration by J. R. Browne for his work The Indians Of California, 1864
Location	California
Date	1846–1871
Target	Indigenous Californians
Deaths	9,492 to 16,094 (Madley) (other estimates: 4,500–100,000) indigenous Californians outright killed, thousands more died due to disease and other causes
Non-fatal injuries	24,000 to 27,000 Native Americans were taken as forced laborers by white settlers; 4,000 to 7,000 of them children
Assailants	United States Army, California State Militia, settlers of Mexican, Spanish and other European descent

The California genocide refers to a sad and difficult time in California's history. It involved actions taken by the United States in the 19th century. These actions led to a huge drop in the number of Native Americans living in California. This period happened after the U.S. took control of California from Mexico.

Between 1849 and 1870, many Native Californians were killed. It's thought that about 9,500 Native people were murdered by American settlers. Also, many Native Americans were forced to work without pay. Children were sometimes taken from their families. State leaders and local groups often allowed or even encouraged these actions.

In 1848, about 150,000 Native Americans lived in California. By 1870, this number dropped to 30,000. By 1900, only 16,000 remained. This decline happened because of diseases, lack of food, and violent attacks.

Native Americans in California were especially targeted during the California Gold Rush. Thousands were forced into labor by settlers. The state of California also made laws that favored white settlers. This meant Native Americans lost their land and rights.

Since the 2000s, many experts and groups have called this period a genocide. They believe the U.S. government and California state government caused great harm to Native Americans. In 2019, California's governor, Gavin Newsom, apologized for these events. He also asked for more research to help future generations understand this history.

Understanding the California Genocide

The California genocide describes a period of extreme violence and hardship. It happened when many people moved to California. This was right after the United States took over the area. The lives of Native Americans changed forever.

Impact of the Gold Rush Era

The California Gold Rush brought many new settlers. They came hoping to find gold and get rich. This sudden rush of people led to big problems for Native Californians. Settlers often moved onto Native lands. This caused conflicts and violence.

• Many Native Americans were killed during this time.
• Thousands were forced to work for settlers.
• Native children were sometimes taken from their homes.
• Native communities lost their traditional lands and ways of life.

Government Actions and Policies

The government played a role in these events. State laws often supported settlers over Native Americans. This made it harder for Native people to protect themselves. Some government-backed groups also took part in attacks.

• The California State Militia was involved in some actions.
• Laws made it easy for settlers to take Native lands.
• Native Americans had very few rights in the legal system.

Remembering and Learning from History

It's important to learn about the California genocide. Understanding this difficult past helps us build a better future. It teaches us about fairness and respecting all people.

Apology and Future Steps

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom apologized for the state's role. This was a big step towards healing. He also called for a special group to study this history. The goal is to make sure everyone understands what happened.

• The apology recognized the harm caused to Native Americans.
• Research helps us learn more about the past.
• This knowledge can help prevent similar events in the future.

Images for kids

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  Indigenous ethnic and (inset) linguistic groups of California prior to European arrival