Gold Rush Thesis

Marshall, tasked with building a sawmill along the American River noticed gold flakes along the riverbed. Both men intended to keep this exciting information secret, but unfortunately news did get out when a man named Sam Brannan spread news of the gold in an attempt to sell gold mining machinery. What resulted was an international rush for California as rumors spread in every newspaper. Thousands risked their lives and sold everything to trek for the famed gold in 1849. Neither James or Brennan were recognized for their discoveries.

Not long after the gold was discovered, Sam Brannan rode from Sutter's Fort and started shouting in the middle of the street, "Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!" His proclamation started a stampede and fever for gold that nearly depopulated the city. People from different places came in search of gold, they left their farms, trading posts, and even deserted ships.

The United States of America is a country deeply rooted in history, shaped by many significant events over the past several hundred years. From the arrival of Columbus, to the Pilgrims, the Revolution, the Civil War, both World Wars, and much more, these events have had a great impact on the future of America. However, one of the most often overlooked yet incredibly significant events in American history was the California Gold Rush of 1849. The discovery of gold in the western territories prompted hundreds of thousands of Americans to venture west. These mass migrations not only had many significant positive and negative impacts, but also created a prosperous future for the desolate and unforgiving western half of the country. The California

The California Gold Rush was a time during 1848-1857 where James W. Marshall found gold, as a result, people around the world came to California for it.

The California gold rush was a major event that affected not only California, but also the entire outcome of our nation. This all started January 24,1848 when James Marshall, discovered a shiny metal in the American River.

The California Gold Rush of 1849 was a major point in history that involved the colonization of the far west, the hunt for gold, and many issues to go along with it. During a period where nothing was really advancing or happening, many people began to look for a new job or a new way to make some form of money. In times like that, there are little to no jobs available. Some people managed to fine gold in the west, and a lot of it, specifically located in California. As people began telling others about it, the information eventually spread throughout the continent. Eventually, thousands of people were migrating out west in search of gold to get rich on.

The Colorado Gold Rush is one of the Gold Rushes that does not get that many attention when it comes time to talk about our nation history. Sure they talk about the Gold Rush that happened in 1848 which was the California Gold Rush. The Colorado Gold Rush didn't happen 11 years after the gold was founded in eastern part of the Rocky Mountains in Cripple Creek. When the San Francisco Gold Rush was happening it made people wanted to come to the West for a bite of that Gold but ones people got here in Colorado people had one thing on their way which was the Rocky Mountains. There was no way around the Rocky Mountains at that time it was hard because people would have wagons with all their stuff most people would leave someone of their belongings behind so they could go through easer just reach the Gold Rush in San Francisco

The journey to California was extremely difficult. The prices were extraordinary with some boat tickets costing up to $450. There were also many trails traversed in a manner that lacked hygiene. Thus, many either faced adversary or simply did not make it. Those who did not make it were most likely harmed by the poor conditions or disease such as cholera along the Overland Trail in 1849. Out of all the trails, “the Oregon-California Trial still proved the most popular overland route” (66). It was estimated that over 100,000 travelers had used said trail by 1851. With the news of gold spreading, many young Asians left to pursue gold. Manny Europeans also made their journey to California. Between the years of 1847 and 1851, Irish immigration more than doubled. California quickly became a melting pot of many races including: blacks, Hawaiians, Peruvians, Germans, Mexicans, and the Chinese. Due to the many races represented in California, there were also many languages and cultures. On February 2, 1848, in a 15 million dollar cash deal, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed which added the land that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and California occupy to the United States. The expansion in land lead to expansion in other ways as well. In 1851, a survey showed “537 liquor stores, 46 gambling houses, and 48 houses of prostitution” (69). One can clearly see there was a lot of money to be made. With so much money on the line, people found ways to maximize their profits. With the same spirit, the Anglos forced many people from the mines with violent threats. They would then tax those who remained. This tax was in the form of a sixteen dollar a month foreign miner’s tax. In an effort to make even more money, “…the California legislature enacted another foreign miner’s tax aimed specifically at the Chinese…” (70).

One of the most beneficial events in American history is the California Gold Rush. The Gold Rush started in 1848 when it was discovered that California Rivers harbored gold inside them. This attracted many Americans across the United States, thus causing a massive migration to California. People from across the nation put their lives on hold in hopes of striking gold in California. For many, the journey took months and the risk of death was steadily present. Dangers were everywhere- from Native American attacks to getting lost on the trail. It was a risk, however, that many deemed worthy. The Gold Rush is a positive turning point in our nation’s growth for many reasons. It helped our nation achieve Manifest Destiny, it allowed the population to grow in California, and it also put California on the map. Although the California Gold Rush has many positives aspects, it holds negative traits as well.

The California Gold Rush of 1849 was a very influential event in U.S history. It all started in 1848, in Coloma, California, when a man named James Marshall (See Appendix A) was working on a sawmill for a man named John Sutter (See Appendix B). He was working near a river and something caught his eye. When he went to investigate, he realized that he had discovered pure gold! Marshall wanted to keep this a secret between him and his boss, but word spread quickly, and eventually the whole world knew about this discovery thanks to the New York Herald, which was the first newspaper to publish an article about the Gold Rush. Soon enough, many people started to immigrate to California to see if they could start a new life, and maybe, get rich. While the Gold Rush had many positive impacts to the State of California, which included economic benefits, they were not necessarily as a result of the mining of gold, but opportunities created by the influx of people looking to get rich. The economic opportunities experienced in the State of California as a result of the gold rush included manufacturing, trade, merchant business, agriculture, entertainment market, and newly formed banks and financial institutions (“The Impact of Gold” 2014). Also, people from different countries like China came by ship to see if they could strike it rich. People living on the Eastern side of the U.S only had two routes that they could follow to California, and both took many months and portrayed terrible

The California Gold Rush was an event that lasted from January 24th, 1848 to 1855. The event was driven mainly by the large quantities of gold reserves that were discovered in the soon to be US state of California. This event caused many Americans to move from the eastern states and middle states to California with the hopes of finding gold. In this paper, I will analyze the economy at the time the gold rush started and attempt to answer the question of why individuals found it necessary or advantageous to move out to California in pursuit of gold. I will also consider personal accounts and editorials written to gain a more personal narrative of the conditions people were experiencing as well as their mindsets in deciding whether to move to California for the gold or not.

The Gold Rush is considered as one of the most significant events in the American history. It began after James Marshall discovered gold form the Sutter’s mill in Coloma, California on January 24, 1948. Though James and Sutter tired to keep this news as secret, there was one newspaper reported it. As the news spread so fast across the country and around the world that attracted hundreds of thousands of gold seekers from different areas came to California.

Gold found in California starting the Gold Rush, happened to not be the first discovery of gold in there. “But gold had been found in 1843 near the Mission San Fernando in Southern California”. Although this discovery did not spark much attention, reason being. At that the time the country was under Mexican rule. “ The great California gold rush began on January 24,1848, when James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget in the American River while constructing a sawmill for John Sutter, a Sacramento agriculturalist”. Discovery of this gold generated the Gold Rush, which is one of the most significant events that

“To many Californians the mention of January 24, 1948, conveys no special meaning, nor is that date widely commemorated in the state. Yet it had a special significance in the history of California, for on that day James Marshall, a moody carpenter from Missouri, discovered the first gold nuggets that resulted in a stampede known as the California Gold Rush.” The California Gold Rush drew in thousands of white settlers, all seeking a better life and a chance

     The California Gold Rush of 1849 is one of the most interesting and exiting events of the United States. From the wild stories of men striking it big, to the heart wrenching tales of people losing everything, these are what make it so alluring. There are many aspects of the California Gold Rush; effects on California; individual stories of struggle; and effects on the United States as a young country looking for stability.