Californio

The term "Californio" refers to the Spanish colonists who settled in California and their descendants. These early settlers, along with missionaries, established the first missions in California, such as the one in San Diego founded in 1769. The missions played a significant role in developing the region, teaching farming and crafts to the Native American populations, often through forced labor.12

The Californios sought secularization of the missions after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, leading to the redistribution of mission ranches. In 1846, during the Bear Flag Revolt, settlers in Sonoma proclaimed an independent California republic. This was followed by the United States declaring war on Mexico, and California eventually became part of the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.3