Elena was born when Mexico owned California. Her mother was an Ohlone slave at the Mission in Santa Cruz. Her father was a Mexican immigrant from Puerto Vallarta. He came via ship and intended to return until he met Elena's mother.
Presidios of Alta California - explains about the government under Spanish and Mexican rule. It also mentions the differentiation of social classes at that time including peninsulares (Spaniards), creoles (Spaniards born in Mexico), castas: mestizos, and mullatos - persons of mixed blood such as Elena, and Indians.
This list of Mexican Governors tells that Manuel Micheltoreña was most likely the last governor Elena was aware of before going to live in Ramon Emmanuel's commune. At that point information about the outside world was cut off due to cult information control.
When Elena agreed to live with Ramon Emmanuel she was subjected to his absolute monarchy - a cult leadership that demanded absolute acquiesance from the community members. They were happy to comply so they'd be able to have a stable home and food supply. During times that Ramon Emmanuel was away the community was run by his wife, Juanita Angela.
When Elena emerges from the commune in 1857 she's not at all aware of the Bear Flag Rebellion and end of Mexican ownership of Alta California. Its a whole new world waiting for her in a busy San Francisco - and she's never been to a large city before.
After moving to San Francisco Elena learned about the Republic of California and subsequent statehood, and got her first experience of democracy. She is not intimately involved with governmental matters but does take an interest in the changes that have come upon the land, especially in light of her need to get help in recovering her children from the cult.
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