Six Eras in the Development of Los Angeles

Introduction

Many marvel at how Los Angeles was able to develop from a remote pueblo into one of the country's largest commercial hubs. The truth is that colonialism and the spread of Christianity played a significant role, influencing how people interacted with each other and with their land, and in turn shaping the development of the regional metropolis that exists today. The permanent exhibition Becoming Los Angeles presents the 500-year history of Los Angeles, from the Spanish Era through to the post–World War II period. A visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County provides a glimpse of this history. The sections below summarize the major historical developments that characterize the six historical eras of the city's growth.

The Spanish Mission Era

In the last decade of the 15th century, Spain embarked on a mission to convert natives in the "New Spain" region — which comprised Mexico, the Caribbean, and a large part of what is known today as the Southwestern United States — to Catholicism, as a way of expanding its holdings in the world. It was not until 1741, however, that conversion efforts in the Southwestern region began. The Spanish established a network of missions aimed at instilling Christian teachings and vocational skills in the natives, particularly the Gabrieleño-Tongva people.

To facilitate their mission, the Spanish established two military stations, locally referred to as presidios — one at Monterey and the other at San Diego. With time, however, it became apparent that the two presidios could not sufficiently serve the entire population. This prompted the then-governor of California, Felipe de Neve, to establish additional civic pueblos to support the presidios in Los Angeles, San Jose, and Santa Barbara. He envisioned that these civic pueblos would increase the number of missionaries and settlers in areas outside Monterey and San Diego, which would in turn increase financial support from the Spanish government and facilitate agriculture and development.

The City of Los Angeles was officially founded on September 4, 1781, under the Spanish name El Pueblo de La Reyna de Los Angeles — translated as "Town of the Queen of the Angels." A chapel was built three years later, and by 1800, there were 29 flat-roofed, Spanish-style buildings across the city. The permanent Los Angeles River, together with abundant swamps and wetlands, attracted European settlers in large numbers; Indians from the surrounding areas of San Luis Obispo and San Diego also came to provide labor on the settlers' farms. The settlers built a water system to channel water from the river into their farmlands. Development increased, but the population swelled in nearly equal proportions. Spanish settlers took advantage of the large population of poor Indians to secure low-cost labor, deliberately undercutting San Francisco's unionized wage structure by fighting unionization and promoting an "open-shop" labor mechanism. This created tensions between Indians and European settlers, though it continued to benefit the latter.

The Mexican Rancho Era

Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 transformed the way natives in Los Angeles, and the broader "New Spain" region, lived their lives. The flag of independent Mexico replaced that of colonial Spain, and citizens' rights were affirmed. With the Spanish no longer in control, the population grew as more Indians and migrants from other parts of America moved to take advantage of the economic prospects of the Southwestern region. Cattle ranching and agriculture expanded, as did trade in hides and tallow. The Mexican administration rebuilt the ditch system — which European settlers had previously channeled exclusively to their own farms — so that water became available to a much greater proportion of the population. Land titles, which the Spanish had claimed for themselves at the expense of the broader population, were redistributed. This increased productivity and stimulated trade and commerce.

In 1833, the Mexican Congress secularized the California Missions, further opening up trade and commerce. Los Angeles was declared a city in 1835, a move that attracted more foreigners from Europe and the United States. Despite the promising economic prospects, the level of development remained limited for two primary reasons: constant attacks on Mexico's northern territories, and the vast disparities between Indians and other groups, which left the former marginalized. Owing to the large size of the "New Spain" region, the Mexican administration was unable to govern effectively, leaving the northern parts — present-day California — exposed to foreign attacks. The Battle of Los Angeles erupted in 1846 as the Californian population revolted against these incursions, and in 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ceding California from Mexico to the United States.

Conclusion

Evidently, Los Angeles enjoys a rich history of economic growth and development. Colonialism, industrialization, and immigration all had a hand in the city's rise. However, all these historical developments raise one recurring question: would Los Angeles be what it is today had it not become part of the United States? Whatever the answer, Los Angeles offers a compelling example that developing nations could study and adapt to stimulate their own growth and development.

Works Cited

Natural History Museum. "Becoming Los Angeles." The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 2015. Web. http://www.nhm.org/site/explore-exhibits/permanent-exhibits/becoming-los-angeles