What was the main job of the American explorers called 'mountain men'?

They led wagon trains for families.

They trapped animals and sold their fur.

They built the first cities in California.

They worked as farmers on large ranchos.

Why did different groups of outsiders, like Russians and Americans, become interested in Mexican California?

They were invited by the Mexican government.

They saw the area had rich natural resources.

They wanted to escape wars in their own countries.

They were looking for a faster sea route to Asia.

To hunt animals for their valuable furs

To search for gold in the rivers

To create maps for the government