1769: Spanish missions crush traditional cultural ways

Spain establishes Mission San Diego, the first of 21 missions built along the coast of California. The coastal Native population shrinks from an estimated 70,000 to fewer than 15,000 in 30 years. More than 300 separate Native bands in southern California are devastated as they are forced to give up their traditional lifeways of hunting and gathering.

Theme

Native Rights

Region

California