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Yerba Buena (San Francisco)
"The village of Yerba Buena, founded in 1769 by a Spanish expedition..." (Allende 270). “One of De Anza's officers, José Joaquín Moraga, was given the task of building a Spanish mission, Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores), and a military fort, the Presidio of San Francisco. Moraga chose a location... which became known as Yerba Buena.” (Wikipedia). Allende enlightens the reader with the origin of San Francisco. Painting by Unknown -
Chilean Silver Rush 1830 - 1850
“ . . .rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north” (Ellende 65). From 1830 - 1850, Silver mining rapidly transformed the economy and society of Chile, turning into the primary source of the country's wealth. Many Chilean and foreign investors used this prosperity to branch out into other industries. Isabel Allende tells the reader about the Silver Rush that transformed Chile and made it wealthy Drawing by Claude Gay. -
Concepcion Earthquake 1835
“That was the year of the floods, which were immortalized in schoolchildren’s textbooks and in their grandparents’ memories. . . .a series of minor temblors, which came like God’s wrath, finished destroying everything . . .” (38-39). On Feb 20 1835, a large earthquake shook Chile, generating a large tsunami which destroyed the Chilean coastline. Isabel Allende tells the earthquake in a way that gives the reader a glance into the terror and destruction of it. Drawing by John Clements Wickham. -
Treaty of Nanking 1842
"When the treaty of Nanking was signed, it was the final blow for the Zhong Yi..." (Allende 202). “Treaty of Nanjing, treaty that ended the first Opium War, the first of the unequal treaties between China and foreign imperialist powers” (Tikkanen). Allende tells the reader of the shame and dishonor the Zhong Yi, and Chinese people, felt with the treaty. Painting by Captain John Platt -
Arrival of Gold Rush News to Chile
“The news of gold discovered in California reached Chile in August” (Allende 144). “Word of Marshall’s discovery first arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, with the arrival of the brig JRS on August 19, 1848” (Belli). Allende tells the reader the first time the news of gold reached Chile, news that prompted many to leave home in search of wealth. Portrait by Anonymous, University of Chile. -
California Reaches 100,000 Population
“By that time there were more than 100,000 argonauts . . .” (Allende 329). “By 1849, the non-native population of California had grown to almost 100,000 people. Nearly two-thirds were Americans. Upon arrival in California, immigrants learned mining was the hardest kind of labor.” (PBS). Allende mentions to the reader the population of California to show how the absurd amount of people coming to California. Print by G.F. Nesbitt -
California Joins Union
"In September of 1850, Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest state in the union" (Allende 386). "...California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850…California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850” (California State Park). Allende mentions the joining of Union by California because it plays a large role in reshaping the lives of people already in California. Paiting by Library of Congress. -
Joaquin Murrieta's Demise
"The next day Tao Chi'en went out early to buy a newspaper, ...Joaquin Murieta had been killed... At dawn on July 24" (Allende 481). “Early on the morning of this day in 1853, Love and his rangers attacked the outlaw camp. Caught by surprise and badly outnumbered, eight of the bandits were killed, including Murrieta and his right hand man" (History). Allende tells the reader of Joaquin Murieta's death, the man that could be Joaquin Andieta, Eliza's lover. Photo by Peter Breinig