Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Contested Territories
This site highlights the westward expansion of settlers in North America and the effects this expansion had on Native Americans between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Other
California State University: Group Portrait of Native Americans by C. B. King
A reproduction of "Young Omahaw, War Eagle, Little Missouri, and Pawnees" by Charles Bird King.
The Best Notes
The Best Notes: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'dell
This is an online study guide/notes for the children's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis. This novel is...
Oakland Museum of California
California's Untold Stories: Natives and Immigrants
This site provides a tour through the history of natives and immigrants to the California Gold Rush area, including African American, California Indian, Chinese, and Latino.
Other
California State Military Museum: Mariposa Indian War, 1850 1851
The California State Military Museum has captured the history of the Indian Wars. This is a synopsis of the Mariposa Indian War which occurred between 1850-1851, the best known battle during the Gold Rush years.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Redwood National Park: American Indians
A brief overview of the California Indian cultures from the northwestern part of the State: Tolowa, Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk.
Other
Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin
Looking for information on the Coast Miwok, look no further. The Miwok Archeological Preserve of Marin offers this resource.
Other
Historic Trails: Oregon/california Trails
Find a map of the Oregon Trail and California Trail and click Historical Trails tab to discover the hardships and daily grind of traveling on the Oregon Trail.
Other
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: History of the Chumash People
Read a history of the Chumash Indians and learn about their way of life before contact with the Spanish. Find out about their large domed houses, plank canoes, and impressive cave paintings.
Other
California Newsreel Teacher's Guide: Black Boy
Have you ever read any of Richard Wright's work? This site offers an extensive crosscurricular Teacher's Guide that includes questions for research and writing.
Ducksters
Ducksters: California State History for Kids
Did you know California's history included early explorers, Native Americans, the Gold Rush, and the Bear Republic? Learn about the history and timeline of the state of California on this site.
Curated OER
Perry Castaneda Map Collection: Map of Early Indian Tribes in the Western u.s.
Map showing the Native American culture areas and the tribes within those cultures in western North America. From the Perry Castaneda collection.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Ranch/mission Days Alta California
An 1890 article in "Century Magazine" by Guadalupe Vallejo relates his understanding of Hispanic influences on ranches and missions that existed in California before it became a state.
Other
Lompoc Museum: Chumash Indians [Pdf]
A very complete look at the Chumash Indians of California from the Lompoc Museum. Read an overview of how the Chumash lived and took advantage of their environment. Follow links to see maps of where they lived and information about their...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The American West: The Gold Rush
Describes the impact of the California Gold Rush of 1848 which brought hundreds of thousands of gold-seeking migrants to the region. This massive influx of people to a place with little law enforcement and no infrastructure led to...
Other
Access Genealogy: Shasta Indian Tribe
This is a thorough description of the Shasta Indian Tribe. Author discusses Shasta culture, language, location, customs, food, and art. The writing in this article contains some negative language that is probably due to the time in which...
Other
The Gold Rush: Collision of Cultures
This page discusses the many different cultures that came to California during the gold rush.
Oakland Museum of California
California's Untold Stories: Silver and Gold
This site provides a virtual tour of the mining of silver and gold in California through excellent photos and facts.
Mission Tour
Mission Tour: A Virtual Tour of the California Missions: Chumash
A brief description of the culture of the Chumash. Read about their canoes, houses, and understanding of astronomy.
Other
County of El Dorado: A Peaceful People Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
Get the basic history of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which students explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Yokuts
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Yokuts. Gives basic facts about location, language, folklore, foods, social customs, family life, education, religion, pastimes, societal challenges, and much more.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Point Reyes National Seashore: Coast Miwok at Point Reyes
The National Park Services provides an enlightening overview of the history and culture of the Coast Miwok tribe at Point Reyes, California.
Digital History
Digital History: Impact of the Mexican Revolution
Seee how Mexico's independence from Spain affected not only the Mexicans who lived in California, but also the native population, and the white Americans.