1. California Gold Rush

2. California Before the Rush
California was mainly populated by Native Americans and people of Spanish or Mexican background
One exception- John Sutter
Build a fort, ranch, sawmill near Sacramento

3. 49ers Head West 1848- Gold discovered near Sutter’s Mill
News (and exaggerations) quickly spread east
Many dropped everything to head to CA in 1849

4. 49ers Head West 3 choices to get to CA:
Sail 18,000 miles around S. America
Sail to Panama, cross land, then to CA
Cross overland

5. Expectations vs. Reality
News of gold grew and quickly created another “fever” to head West
President Polk confirmed that “large quantities” had been found

6. Expectations vs. Reality
Reality- mining was hard work!
Price of mining supplies very high
Early panning replaced by larger, more complicated and expensive methods

7. Expectations vs. Reality
Life in mining camps was full of crime, gambling, discrimination
Some miners stayed but most returned home poor or settled elsewhere in CA

8. Effects of the Gold Rush
Much of the environment was destroyed by mining practices
Native Americans were decimated by disease, loss of land
Population of California exploded
California applies for statehood and was admitted as a free state in 1850
Balance of power tipped to the North