<span>Soon after gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico opened its northern coastal region of California to foreign trade. American vessels from the east were soon engaged in lucrative commerce with the Californios, Californians of Spanish or Mexican descent. Offering such necessities as cooking utensils and boots, as well as luxuries such as brandy, the Americans reaped profits of 200 to 300 percent. In exchange, the Californios exported cowhides produced on their vast coastal ranches.</span>
