Research Paper on:
Northern and Southern California and How They Evolved

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
indigenous solidarity would ultimately come to near division of boundary lines, all due in great part to ethnic intolerance. As the Mexicans settled mostly to the south, the Anglos  took up residence in the north, inevitably creating a demarcation that represented two entirely different populations - at least for a while. II. THE GOLD RUSH Had it not  been for the discovery of gold, California may well be two separate states today. The Mexicans had quite a hold on southern California, while the white prospectors kept mainly  to the northern area in search of gold. The southern Mexican presence was strong up until 1880, where they held political positions and, for the most part, maintained their  own economic and social existence. However, that was relatively short-lived in relation to historys timeline, inasmuch as the influx of Anglo gold seekers soon began infiltrating down from the  north and ultimately stripped the Mexicans of virtually all political power. Unfair land taxation and other discriminatory laws were established in order to persuade the Mexicans to leave by  significantly undermining their economic base. What proved to be at the root of the Anglos seemingly sudden progression from north to south? The construction of the transcontinental railroad,  which ultimately "spurred a land boom and the states second major population explosion" (A History Of Mexican Americans In California: Post-Conquest California). "Loss of land contributed heavily to relegation  of Mexican Americans to the lower echelons of the California socio-economic system. The loss eroded their economic base, undermined their political power, and displaced ranchworkers. Some Chicanos managed  to find work in traditional occupations, such as vaquero or sheepshearer, but often only on a part-time basis. Most displaced Chicanos became laborers, poorly paid and often migratory, in