War Information
10 sectionsHistory of Wars and State Violence in California
California, known today as one of the wealthiest and most progressive US states, has a history saturated with genocide, state violence, racial suppression, and exploitation. From the genocide of Native peoples to the state's central role in the American military-industrial complex, California is an inseparable part of the US war machine and imperialist project.
California Genocide (1846-1873)
One of the deadliest genocides in human history occurred in California. The Native population collapsed from approximately 150,000 in 1846 to fewer than 30,000 by 1873 — a 80% reduction. This genocide was carried out with full support from the state and federal governments. California spent over $1.7 million funding vigilante militias to hunt and kill Native people. Legislation in 1850 effectively legalized Native slavery, which continued until 1867. The state's first governor, Peter Burnett, declared there would be "a war of extermination until the Indian race becomes extinct."
Spanish Colonization and Mission System (1769-1834)
The Franciscan mission system, operating under a religious pretext for colonization, subjected Native peoples to forced labor and enslavement. European diseases and brutal labor conditions killed tens of thousands. Native resistance was met with severe punishment, including whipping and imprisonment.
US-Mexican War and Conquest of California (1846-1848)
The US seized California from Mexico in the expansionist Mexican-American War. The Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 paved the way for California's annexation into the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) promised to protect Mexican land grants but these were almost universally violated.
Gold Rush and Genocide (1848-1855)
The discovery of gold triggered a massive influx of white settlers, leading to systematic violence against Native peoples. Massacres occurred throughout the state, and the state government placed bounties on Native scalps. The Environmental devastation from hydraulic mining destroyed watersheds and Native food sources.
Anti-Asian Violence and Chinese Exclusion (1882-1943)
California was the epicenter of anti-Chinese violence in America. The Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871, the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, and discriminatory laws targeting Asian immigrants originated in California. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first US law to ban immigration based on race.
Japanese American Incarceration (1942-1945)
Approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were US citizens, were imprisoned in camps across California. Their property was confiscated, and most lost their homes and businesses in a clear violation of constitutional rights.
The Military-Industrial Complex and California's War Role
California hosts 32 active military bases and is home to defense giants Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon. The state is the heart of the American military-industrial complex, playing a central role in supplying weapons for the Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the 2023-2024 attacks on Gaza. California defense contractors have profited enormously from every US war of the past century.
Zoot Suit Riots (1943)
Systematic racial violence against Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles, carried out with implicit police support, reflecting the deep-seated racism embedded in California's law enforcement institutions.
