Marina Estrada

12/1/16
SBS318 Thursday
DBQ#3

California would not have progressed so much, without the persistence of Governor Pat
Brown

World War II was a huge impact in Californias history. The war lasted from 1939-

1945. The attack on Pearl Harbor created a demand for workers to build new ships

quickly. Many people came to California for the opportunity to work. Californias

population was growing rapidly, by a diverse group of people, white, black, Asian,

Mexican, men and women. The country was coming out of a depression. California was

in need of a leader that would bring people together and create an environment where

people could live with food, water, and housing. Only one man was fit for the job,

Governor Pat Brown. If it werent for Pat Browns love for California, pushing for non

discrimination of housing and creating the State Water Project, then California

wouldnt be what it is today. Governor Pat Brown is a hero, his perseverance and

determination helped shape California in a positive way. Governor Pat Brown pushed

for programs to build freeways, help establish a public school system that was available

to all, at a low cost, and the states water system.

Governor Pat Brown couldnt afford to go to College. He wanted to attend

college but went to work with his father and studied law instead. When he was in office

he signed a bill for the Master Plan for Higher Education in 1960. The plan was for the

opportunity for equal access to education regardless of race or gender and at a low
cost. The plan helped create opportunities for many Californians. It was first of its kind,

nowhere else in the United States was there a plan like this for education and it was

Governor Pat Brown who signed the bill into action! If it werent for him the education

system would not have been available to everyone, only rich white men. Pat Brown was

very passionate about providing equal access to education, he had first had experience

on how difficult it was to be able to afford school. Because of him, many minorities

were ale to attend school with no cost.

In addition to educational opportunities, he helped pave the way for equal

opportunity for all Americans. The civil rights movement was during the same time as

Governor Pat Brown was in office. Governor Pat Brown was a champion for civil rights.

He was against the Proposition 14, which didnt allow black Americans to buy property.

Later, that referendum bill was repealed. Again, only because Governor Pat Brown was

behind it pushing for it to end.

Governor Pat Brown is most famous for his push for an aqueduct. He was named

after it Governor Brown Aqueduct. Half of the states people lived in southern California

and they only had 1% of the natural water supply. He backed the State Water Project

and help pass a bill to have an aqueduct built to bring water to southern California.

Dams help move the water through the Central Valley creating a seven-mile river. This

one project changed California forever.

 Governor Pat Brown was instrumental in all the work he supported and pushed

for. Unfortunately, because he has a good heart and was against the death penalty,

that ultimately cost him the election for President. He spared the lives of four

condemned murderers from the death penalty and it didnt go so well with voters. We

need someone like him now in 2016. California has grown into a diverse well populated

area because of his efforts. Unfortunately, we havent seen anyone close to his

character in office recently. We are in need of better times in California.