Republic of Baja California
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Baja California
was proclaimed in 1853 by soldier of fortune William Walker.
He captured La Paz
, declaring himself President of the Republic of Baja California.
Later he merged that into the Republic of Sonora
.
William Walker sailed out from San Francisco with 48 men on his first filibustering expedition: the conquest of the Mexican
Baja California Territory
and the state of Occidente. He financed the effort by selling scrip in exchange for promises of land in Sonora.
Three weeks later, Walker took control of La Paz
, the capital of the sparsely populated Baja California, and 200 more men joined him. Walker declared La Paz the capital of a new "Republic of Baja California", with himself as president and a constitution copied from that of Louisiana
.
Fearful of attacks by Mexico, Walker moved his position twice over the next three months, first to Cabo San Lucas
, and then further north to Ensenada, Baja California
. Here he abolished the "Republic of Baja California", instead pronouncing Baja California part of the larger Republic of Sonora
.
Republic of Baja California
The Republic of Baja California was proclaimed in 1853 by soldier of fortune William Walker.He captured La Paz, declaring himself President of the Republic of Baja California.Later he merged that into the Republic of Sonora.- History :...
was proclaimed in 1853 by soldier of fortune William Walker.
He captured La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, declaring himself President of the Republic of Baja California.
Later he merged that into the Republic of Sonora
Republic of Sonora
The Republic of Sonora was a federal republic composed of two states: Baja California and Sonora....
.
History
On October 16, 1853, filibusterFilibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
William Walker sailed out from San Francisco with 48 men on his first filibustering expedition: the conquest of the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
Baja California Territory
Baja California Territory
Baja California Territory was a Mexican territory from 1773 until 1931, located on the Baja California Peninsula.In 1931 it was divided into Northern and Southern territories. In 1952, the "North Territory of Baja California" became the 29th State of Mexico as Baja California, and in 1974, the...
and the state of Occidente. He financed the effort by selling scrip in exchange for promises of land in Sonora.
Three weeks later, Walker took control of La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, the capital of the sparsely populated Baja California, and 200 more men joined him. Walker declared La Paz the capital of a new "Republic of Baja California", with himself as president and a constitution copied from that of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Fearful of attacks by Mexico, Walker moved his position twice over the next three months, first to Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...
, and then further north to Ensenada, Baja California
Ensenada, Baja California
Ensenada is a coastal city in Mexico and the third-largest city in Baja California. It is located south of San Diego on the Baja California Peninsula. The city is locally referred to as La Cenicienta del Pacífico, or, The Cinderella of the Pacific...
. Here he abolished the "Republic of Baja California", instead pronouncing Baja California part of the larger Republic of Sonora
Republic of Sonora
The Republic of Sonora was a federal republic composed of two states: Baja California and Sonora....
.