The Forging of Communities in Colonial Alta California, 1769-1834

Interaction between Native Californians and colonists, soldiers, and priests representing the Spanish state in Alta California after 1769 began a process of constantly fluctuating relationships between native and non-native people. The establishment of the missions and presidios—and the subsequent expansion of colonial settlements—created new and dynamic relations and communities within and between colonists and native people across California. These communities were dynamic at various scales, and were based, at least in part, on notions of mutual dependency and benefit amongst and between community members. As the colonial presence and reach expanded in Alta California, some of these communities became increasingly multi-ethnic. This session thinks about the nature of community in colonial Alta California. How were communities formed and re-formed? How did community members identify themselves and identify with the community? What criteria were used to create and reformulate community? When were communities homogeneous or multi-ethnic? How were these communities unique or overlapping with others? This session entails case studies of the concept of community, drawing from examples of colonial establishments (missions, pueblos, presidios, mercantile outposts) and Native Californian locales to better understand the nature of interaction, dependence and benefit, and identity.