1. The Mining Boom Objective: Explain how mining affected the US during the late 1800s Do Now: What do you think tare the chances of getting rich during the Gold Rush?

3. Western Mining -Miners raced across the continent, hoping to strike it rich. -Gold rush Pikes Peak, Colorado 1858 -Comstock Lode- one of the world’s richest silver veins located in Nevada -In 20 years mined $500 million worth of precious metals. -Patio Process- method introduced by Hispanics which used mercury to extract silver from ore.

4. Seward’s Folly US Secretary of State William H. Seward negotiated purchase of Alaska in 1867 – Less than 2 cents an acre! – he was ridiculed, but he remained confident “possess treasure…. Equal to those of any other region of the continent.”

6. Discovery of gold leads to Klondike Gold Rush Pg.418-419

7. Life in Mining Communities Mining camps sprang up over night. – Mostly men The Settlers – All different nationalities – From rich to poor – Competition led to discrimination, especially Chinese Instability – Tension between ethnic groups led to fighting Deadwood, SD – Vigilante committees due to absence of law enforcement

8. – Over time, miners formed unions to fight wage cuts and dangerous working conditions.

9. – As camps grew into towns, it began to stabilize. Owners of saloons and stores more likely to get rich! Families start coming.

10. Mining as Big BusinessTwo MethodsMining as Big BusinessTwo Methods Hydraulic mining – Water shot at high pressure ripped away ravel and dirt to expose minerals beneath

11. Hard-rock mining – Sinking deep shafts to obtain ore locked in veins of rocks