News of Mexico’s independence traveled more slowly through Alta California than the world’s slowest game of telephone. There weren’t any phones, after all!
Before many weeks had passed, Mexican officials arrived. New Spain, including Alta California, had become the new country of Mexico. Its borders extended from what is today Central America to the Pacific Northwest. The mission heads were sent away. New governors worked with wealthy ranching families to rewrite the laws.
Nearly everyone agreed that the Spanish missionaries had held too much power and land. But not everyone came out ahead once the missionaries were gone.
