Spanish California
Spain's northwestern most colony was California, claimed first by Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. Several early Spanish conquistadores looked
seriously at California as a possible source of treasure, but none was found
and Spain's attention quickly shifted elsewhere. In 1565 Miguel de Salcedo
added the Philippine Islands to Spain's empire and a brief thought was
given to developing a port on the coast of California to be used in support
of the Spanish galleons sailing from Manila to Acapulco. Once again
nothing was done and California remained undisturbed by European
settlement for another two centuries.
In the second half of the eighteenth century the world balance of power
was shifting and New Spain was being threatened by several European
powers including England, France and Russia. The Spanish King, Carlos III,
decided that Spain would have to physically occupy California or risk losing
it
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