Paul_D's Blog

as spanish missions were planted in california, the indians were attacking.  it was no cake walk to settle california.  san gabriel, san diego, santa barbara, monterrey had presidios (forts)-- the british and the french had navy ships in the pacific. 

a trail from santa fe to san gabriel through Mojave and Cajon pass was dangerous because of Mojave indians.

california was sparsely populated with spanish emigrants.  Mexican governing was weak.

Presidents Jackson, Taylor wanted to buy the SF bay area from Mexico.  Polk offered to buy all California  but his rep was turned down.

Polk encouraged an uprising of californians rather than a war with mexico to annex california.

the spanish settlers who were in calif after Mexico declared independence from spain had no allegiance to mexico and wanted to be joined to the US.