About the book
Prior to US conquest, a group of elite, mixed-race Mexicans called Californios nurtured the dream of patria chica (“small homeland”) in what is now the state of California. Californios' settler dreams of wealth and privilege depended upon controlling Indigenous land and labor, but after Anglo settlers and the US Army arrived, Californios struggled to hold onto their own way of life.
Camille Suárez shows that rather than challenge the new regime, elite Californios allied with both the US Army and Anglo settlers, whom they viewed as racial counterparts, to ensure that their dream survived. Despite their differences, Californio and Anglo settlers initially worked together to subjugate Indigenous peoples and exclude non-white residents. However, Californios failed to see that their own lands and power stood in the way of the white settler state. Over time, the legal regime Californios helped shape undermined their own political power, whiteness, and claims to the land. By centering Californios as key political actors from the beginning of the US-Mexico War through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Dreams of Small Countries reexamines the origins of California statehood and explains how California became a white settler state.
Editions of Dreams of Small Countries
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469698014
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469698021
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469691978
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469698038
Read an Excerpt
Prior to US conquest, a group of elite, mixed-race Mexicans called Californios nurtured the dream of patria chica (“small homeland”) in what is now the state of California. Californios' settler dreams of wealth and privilege depended upon controlling Indigenous land and labor, but after Anglo settlers and the US Army arrived, Californios struggled to hold onto their own way of life.
Camille Suárez shows that rather than challenge the new regime, elite Californios allied with both the US Army and Anglo settlers, whom they viewed as racial counterparts, to ensure that their dream survived. Despite their differences, Californio and Anglo settlers initially worked together to subjugate Indigenous peoples and exclude non-white residents. However, Californios failed to see that their own lands and power stood in the way of the white settler state. Over time, the legal regime Californios helped shape undermined their own political power, whiteness, and claims to the land. By centering Californios as key political actors from the beginning of the US-Mexico War through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Dreams of Small Countries reexamines the origins of California statehood and explains how California became a white settler state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dreams of Small Countries about?
Prior to US conquest, a group of elite, mixed-race Mexicans called Californios nurtured the dream of patria chica (“small homeland”) in what is now the state of California. Californios' settler dreams of wealth and privilege depended upon controlling Indigenous land and labor, but after Anglo settlers and the US Army arrived, Californios struggled to hold onto their own way of life.
Camille Suárez shows that rather than challenge the new regime, elite Californios allied with both the US Army and Anglo settlers, whom they viewed as racial counterparts, to ensure that their dream survived. Despite their differences, Californio and Anglo settlers initially worked together to subjugate Indigenous peoples and exclude non-white residents. However, Californios failed to see that their own lands and power stood in the way of the white settler state. Over time, the legal regime Californios helped shape undermined their own political power, whiteness, and claims to the land. By centering Californios as key political actors from the beginning of the US-Mexico War through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Dreams of Small Countries reexamines the origins of California statehood and explains how California became a white settler state.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Dreams of Small Countries?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Dreams of Small Countries?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469698014
How long is Dreams of Small Countries and how many pages does it have?
Dreams of Small Countries has 208 page(s)
Is Dreams of Small Countries part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series The David J. Weber Series in the New Borderlands History
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Dreams of Small Countries?
Camille Suárez
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Dreams of Small Countries is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469698014) and paperback(ISBN 9781469698021) and ebook(ISBN 9781469691978) and pdf(ISBN 9781469698038)
Where can I buy Dreams of Small Countries online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Dreams of Small Countries from below
Where can I buy Dreams of Small Countries?