Delaplane, Kristin

Jun 16, 1996

Abstract: By the 1840s, the Mexican hold on California was weakening. There were less than 10,000 Mexicans living in California, and they were not a particularly powerful group, as they were scattered throughout the area in small towns and settlements. Many Californians, including Mexican nationals, were unhappy with Mexico's rule, which was very slack and provided the settlements with little support. Thus, the Union, the United States, was in a good position to win support and take over.