International Rivalry for California and the Establishment of the British Consulate

Abstract

Ever since Francis Drake entered the Pacific Ocean in the Golden Hind in 1578-1579, the Pacific Ocean has never been what its name implies?Pacific. That was the beginning of changing the Pacific Ocean from a 'Spanish LakeJ into an area of international rivalry. In turn nearly all the great European Powers contested for that vast area. In fact the contest finally resulted in a swirl of the nations until, the swirling ended, there remained just England and the United States which still hold the area. But that is chiefly the area north of California. California, which generally represents the northwestern effective frontier of Spanish ownership, however, played a less important role in that greater story of expansion and international rivalry for the Pa cific until the latter part of the colonial regime. In itself, California was effectively occupied by the Spanish only after heavy pressure of international rivalry. Basically claims had been established to California. Drake had taken possession of the California area in the name of Her Majesty, Good Queen Bess. Spain, of course, claimed all the area as its own by virtue of Papal decree, but that dictate neither France, Holland nor England