California's Economic Development Overview

What led to the initial boom in California's agricultural industry during the mid-1800s?

Which factor contributed to California becoming a leading producer of fruits?

What impact did the Southern Pacific Railway have on California's real estate market in the late 1800s?

Why did Hollywood become the center of the film industry in the early 1900s?

What economic condition did California experience during the 1870s?

How did the agricultural industry impact the population of California?

Which major event in the 1880s coincided with California's population boom?

What was one reason film producers moved to Hollywood in the early 1900s?

Major Economic Influences in California's Development

Agricultural Industry:
Early development tied to the Gold Rush.
Wheat farming thrived from 1850s-1890s due to fertile soil and suitable climate.
California became a major wheat exporter.
Shifting to fruit cultivation (grapes, citrus, etc.) in late 1800s.
Labor demands fueled population growth and new towns.
Technological advancements helped increase production.
Wheat production declined, but the agriculture industry continued to flourish.
Tourism and Entertainment Industry:
Early tourism boom tied to the completion of the transcontinental railroad (1880s).
Southern Pacific Railway's advertising strategies promoted California.
Lower travel costs attracted visitors, increasing land prices, and population growth.
Population grew rapidly in urban areas like LA, due to wheat boom and tourism.
Hollywood's development as a film center (starting 1908)
Ideal climate and diverse terrain attracted film production from the east.
Distance from major patents protected film production in California from litigation.
Hollywood transformed from a small village to a major global production center.
The film industry's pop boom spurred related industries: oil and aviation.
Film production contributed significantly to California's population growth.

Explore the major economic influences that shaped California's development, focusing on the agricultural industry and the rise of tourism and entertainment. Understand the historical context from the Gold Rush to Hollywood's emergence, and how these factors contributed to population growth and urbanization. This quiz will test your knowledge of California's dynamic economic landscape.