California Native American Genocide History

The California Native American genocide refers to the systematic destruction and mass killing of Indigenous peoples in California during the mid-19th century, primarily following the 1848 Gold Rush.

Between 1846 and 1873, tens of thousands of Native Americans were killed as a result of violence, forced displacement, disease, and state-sanctioned campaigns.

This period included massacres, forced labor, and policies supported by the California government and federal authorities that led to dramatic population declines.

The genocide profoundly disrupted Native societies, cultures, and populations, leading to long-lasting impacts still felt today.