1. “Engendering the History of Alta
California, 1769-1848: Gender,
Sexuality, and the Family”
A REVIEW OF ANTONIA I. CASTAÑEDA’SARTICLE
BY SARAH MACEDO
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

2. Introduction
Because California has been a part of the United States
for over 150 years, it is easy to forget that where we
live was once a part of New Spain. One of the largest
reminders of this era is the California Mission system
established by the Catholic Church to convert and
“Hispanicize” the Native Americans. While
researching into this period of our history, I found
this article. It stood out to me because it looks at the
era from the perspective of the Native American
women, a perspective that is harder to find.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

3. Article’s General Premise
 The article analyzes the role that
Native and Mestiza women had in
Alta California society during the
time of Spanish and Mexican rule.
 In addition to looking at the acts
against the women that shaped their
place in society (such as the sexual
and violent attacks against the
native women by early Spaniards),
Castañeda looks at how the women
used their own sexuality to influence
and withstand the society around
them.
 Building upon the works of other
historians, such as Ramon
Gutierrez, Castaneda continues the This is a painting of a California
study of looking at early Alta woman grinding corn
California history through the eyes
of these minority women.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

4. View of Women and Sexuality
 Castañeda compares the European view of
women and female sexuality with that
expressed by the California Natives.
 In Europe women were viewed with the
main purpose of having children and
maintaining a line of heritage.
 Indigenous women had influence in many of
the tribes. They were not only considered to
have a role in the family but even took an
active part in tribal proceedings.
 Sexuality was also celebrated in Native
American rituals whereas in Europe it was
viewed as something to be controlled.
 This meant that the Mission leaders viewed
the indigenous views of sexuality (including
things like polygamy, homosexuality, and
pre-marital sex) as something in need of
correction. The missionaries also placed
grave importance on procreation and met
the Native practices of things like abortion
and infanticide with humiliating
This is a page from the “First Book of Matrimony” where punishments.
Father Junipero Serra recorded marriages that took place
at the Mission.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

5. Native American Women Using Their Sexuality
 According to Castañeda, the
ingenious women were also
able to use their sexuality and
power to influence other
Native Californians as wells as
the Spanish.
 Women led attacks on the
missions as well as steered
their peers away from
Christian conversions by using
their ties as women with the
spiritual world Native culture.
 In addition, women would use
their bodies and bodily fluids
to gain the submission of men.
As a result, many of the
Spaniards interpreted these
actions akin to those of
witchery and sorcery
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

6. “Hispanicized” Families
 Just as in Europe, those who had
immigrated into California viewed women as
a means to maintain and replenish the
population needed to provide labor and
uphold the Spanish colonies.
 This meant that while the Natives who
married each other were heavily pressured
and monitored to have children to replenish
the labors, those living under Spanish rule
(Spaniards, Native Californians, and
Mexican alike) were promoted to participate
in interracial marriages. The missions
wanted to institute these families in order to
establish how a Spanish, Christian family
should behave.
 In addition to supporting the marriages
between the Natives and soldiers, officials
also sent expeditions out exhibitions to
recruit Hispanicized families, although often
to limited success. They even went so far as
to send children into families and arrange
Drawing from 1971 titled “The Wife of marriages years before the woman was of a
marrying age.
a Monterey Soldier”
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

7. Marriage Under Mexico
 After California fell under Mexican
rule, a new group of single men
immigrated to California.
 Over time, the nature of the
marriage changed into being one
of economic and social stability.
One could marry to gain property.
 Marriage also helped in creating
alliances and gaining power.
 The details of marriage, however,
changed from region to region.
The age of marriage for women
ranged from 13-20 and the This is a drawing by Emanuel
average family size from about Wyttenbach titled “A California
four to seven children, depending
on the location. This illustrates the Wedding Party of 1845” illustrating that
difference in political and weddings were a large event in
economic stability from region to California under Mexico
region.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

8. Women Fighting for Their Rights
 Even as California became more
and more European, some women
still were able to take control of
different aspects of their lives.
Castaneda discusses individual
women who were able to push for
their own rights.
 Cases of women defying their roles
as widows and submissive wives
can be found from this era as well.
Some women even went as far to
refuse marriage or publically
accuse their husbands of adultery
or other males of abuse.
 There are even records of women
This photograph of Juan Bandini and
his daughter from a California Rancho
trying to obtain justice in the
illustrates the expected submissive Mexican legal system.
behavior that women were supposed to
have in this Patriarchal Society.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda

9. Works Cited
 Castañeda, Antonia I. “Engendering the History of
Alta California, 1769-1848: Gender, Sexuality, and
the Family.” California History, Vol. 76 (1997). Web.
5 Dec. 2011.
All illustrations and photos
used in this PowerPoint are
from the article as well.
"Engendering the History of Alta California" by Antonia I. Castañeda