Class Agenda Questions Notes Group Activity “Tableau” Exit Activity – “Graffiti Board”

What were three Reasons for the creation of the Colony of BC? - Questions What were three Reasons for the creation of the Colony of BC? -

What was James Polk’s Campaign Slogan? Questions What was James Polk’s Campaign Slogan?

THE CARIBOO GOLD RUSH

GOLD WAS DISCOVERED 1848 – In Sacramento California - Thousand flocked to California to get rich. - Most either died on route or ended up poor. 1857 – Gold found in the Thompson R

Word Gets Out A Fur Trader arrived in Fort Victoria with Gold in 1857 and showed Douglas Douglas feared that a Gold Rush could cause thousands of Americans to move north. By 1858 Word had Reached San Francisco… Douglas’ Fears were realized. By The summer over 10,000 miners had reached the BC Mainland.

Onward to the Gold! Many arrived in Victoria first, before heading to the mainland. Arrived in New Westminster. From there guided by First Nations

The BOOM and BUST of BARKERVILLE Billy struck it rich but would die poor in a Victoria Nursing Home. He is buried at Ross Bay Cemetery Billy discovered gold at the site in 1861-62 By the mid 1860s 5000 people – largest town north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. By the end of the century it was a ghost town

THE CARIBOO ROAD Governor Douglas built a road to ensure taxable revenue. Miners would have to pass in order to get gold out. Road would also promote settlement. 4 hard yrs and $750,000 Never earned back the money.

THE CARIBOO ROAD

METHODS OF GOLD MINING PANNING Easiest and simplest method. Metal pan with sloping sides. Gold is heavy and sinks to bottom of pan. Wash light gravel out. Left with black sand and gold flakes.

METHODS OF MINING ROCKING Faster method; two person job. Built a box on rockers (like a cradle). One shoveled sand and the other poured water to wash it through. -One rocker could produce $100/day. -By 1858, $500,000 worth of gold taken from the Fraser River

METHODS OF MINING HYDRALIC Used heavy water to erode banks. Very environmently unfriendly. Used to displace great quantity of earth.

Group Activity In a Tableau, participants make still images with their bodies to represent a scene (There is no talking) For this activity come up with a Newspaper Headline, and Front Page Picture relating to one of these: The Opening of the Cariboo Road Barkerville The Discovery of Gold You will “perform” these for the class. Have fun with it!

Exit Activity Graffiti Board Draw something you learned today about the gold rush on the Board