The Move Westward The 49ers Who came to California? Life on the Mine The Chinese
There be Gold in Thar Hills Mexicans had discovered gold before the famous strike on John Sutters Mill John Sutter is credited with discovering gold in California but it was really a hired hand named James Marshall Gold is discovered in 1848 on Sutters sawmill
There be Gold in Thar Hills 2 Reasons for the Gold Rush were: A 16 oz gold nugget is displayed in the Northeast and leads to immigration towards the west in search of riches Whites believe in Manifest Destiny
There be Gold in Thar Hills Most 49ers do not locate gold and strike it rich they expected to pick gold of the ground A typical miner locates gold flakes not gold nuggets Most tend to give up after a couple of months or end up working for a mining company
Life on a Mining Camp Once 49ers arrived to California they experienced Disease Danger from criminals, Indian attacks and dangerous work Hard work and exhaustion Uncomfortable conditions
Life on a Mining Camp Miners have to contend with high prices, gamblers and criminals San Francisco in 1845 had a population of 400 but after gold is found it increases to 32,000 by 1850! This lead to the scarcity of items which then lead to unusually high prices for example and egg might cost you $20!!!
Life on a Mining Camp
Who came looking for Gold? 2/3 came from the United States from all walks of life. They seek a new beginning based on economic opportunity 1/3 come are from South America, Mexico, Europe and China
Who came looking for Gold? The Chinese come because they are escaping war, poverty and unemployment They expect to strike it rich and return home to buy land and get married, most end up staying here
Who came looking for Gold? They transport their culture to California and encounter racism and discrimination Hatred is because the Chinese are hardworking and become the scapegoat for American failure during the Gold Rush Chinese immigrants take jobs that no American will do like cooking and laundry
Who came looking for Gold? The Chinese are attacked by groups called nativists To keep the Chinese from coming to the United States the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 is passed that prohibits the immigration of Chinese into America
Statehood for California It becomes a state in 1850 California enters as a free state in the United States California upsets the balance of Congress seats on the side of the Northern states