History Section 4: The Gold Rush Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is a Forty-Niner?

Gold seekers in California hoping to strike rich.

Who first discovered gold and where?

James W. Marshall on John Sutter's property called Sutter's Mill.

What was the official year in which the California Gold Rush started?

What were the effects of the California Gold Rush on society?

Huge rise in population; 80% American. Signup and view all the answers

How did Easterners and Europeans get to California?

Long and dangerous journeys on one of two sea routes. Signup and view all the answers

How did Midwesterners travel to California?

Long and dangerous 2,000 mile, 3 month journeys on wagon trains. Signup and view all the answers

Where did most migrants to California arrive?

San Francisco. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 reasons why San Francisco was a good place for gold miners to arrive?

<ol> <li>Good harbor, close to gold strikes. 2. Trade center. 3. Grew rapidly.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How many of the Forty-Niners had previous gold-mining experience?

Few had previous experience. Signup and view all the answers

What does prospect mean?

Search for gold. Signup and view all the answers

Where did miners search for gold?

Streams, shallow surface mines. Signup and view all the answers

What does stake a claim mean and what problems does it cause?

2 or more groups staked rival claims; competition led to violent conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

What was the peak dollar value of gold production in one year and which year was it?

$60 million in 1853. Signup and view all the answers

What proportion of miners struck it rich?

Some struck it rich...most did NOT. Signup and view all the answers

Why did mining towns appear and disappear quickly?

As rich claims opened up and other claims dried up. Signup and view all the answers

Why were theft and miscommunication common in mining towns?

Miners found themselves making money one day and broke the next. Signup and view all the answers

Why was there little law and order in mining towns?

Rarely had local authorities; many cultural backgrounds. Signup and view all the answers

What was the cultural background of the miners?

Many cultural backgrounds. Signup and view all the answers

What was the age and marital status of most miners?

Young single men. Signup and view all the answers

What percent of people in mining towns were women or children?

5%. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of deal did miners get on necessities?

Paid high prices due to high inflation from the cost of gold and shipping to isolated camps. Signup and view all the answers

Name four mining supplies that were in high demand.

Clothes, shovels, nails and mercury. Signup and view all the answers

How were mining supplies transported to California?

Clipper ships known for their speed. Signup and view all the answers

What conditions in China encouraged many Chinese men to come to America and did they intend to stay?

Famine and economic hardships. Signup and view all the answers

Who took advantage of free enterprise conditions?

People who found ways to supply needed goods or services sold to the highest bidder. Signup and view all the answers

What is Biddy Mason known for?

Arrived in California as a slave; gained liberty, moved to Los Angeles; bought land that increased in value; one of the wealthiest landowners in California. Signup and view all the answers

What does gam saan haak mean?

Travelers to Gold Mountain. Signup and view all the answers

Give 3 examples of how Americans showed the Chinese miners they were not welcome.

<ol> <li>High monthly tax on all foreign miners. 2. Targets of violent attacks in mining camps. 3. Legal system favored Americans and offered little protection.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Did all miners leave when they did not become rich?

Even when they did not become rich, many stayed in the US. Signup and view all the answers

What did some miners do to earn a living if they didn't become rich from gold mining?

Became business owners. Signup and view all the answers

Name one successful businessman and the product that he sold to gold miners.

Levi Strauss, jeans. Signup and view all the answers

What countries did immigrants leave to come to California?

Europe, Mexico and South America. Signup and view all the answers

How did the arrival of the Forty-Niners change the population of the West?

Drastically increased population. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to society when the Gold Rush faded?

Society was more stable after the Gold Rush faded. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did population growth from the Gold Rush have on California's eligibility for statehood?

The population explosion made it eligible for statehood after only 2 years of being acquired by the US. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the Gold Rush have on the economy and which sectors of the economy were most affected?

Agriculture and industry. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gold Rush Overview

Forty-Niners were gold seekers in California, aiming to strike it rich during the Gold Rush.
Gold was first discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill, located on John Sutter's property.

Key Dates

The California Gold Rush officially began in 1849, marking a significant migration and economic event.

Societal Impact

The Gold Rush led to a substantial rise in California's population, with 80% identifying as American.
Many migrants arrived through long and perilous sea routes; Midwesterners often traveled via 2,000-mile wagon trains over three months.
San Francisco became the primary arrival point for most migrants.

Characteristics of San Francisco

San Francisco was strategically located with a good harbor, proximity to gold strikes, served as a trade center, and experienced rapid growth during the Gold Rush.

Miners' Experience

Few of the Forty-Niners had previous mining experience, largely entering the industry as novices.
Prospecting involved searching for gold in streams and shallow surface mines.
The term "stake a claim" refers to the act of marking one's territory, which often led to violent conflicts over rival claims.

Economic Aspects

The peak dollar value of gold production reached $60 million in 1853.
A small proportion of miners struck it rich, while most did not succeed financially.
Mining towns emerged and disappeared quickly as claims were either claimed or depleted.

Challenges in Mining Towns

Miners often faced theft and miscommunication, making financial stability elusive.
Many towns were lawless due to a lack of local authorities and diverse cultural backgrounds among miners.

Demographics of Miners

Miners predominantly consisted of young single men, with women and children making up only 5% of the population in mining towns.
High prices for necessities resulted from inflation driven by the gold rush’s economic demands.

Supplies and Transportation

Mining supplies such as clothes, shovels, nails, and mercury were in high demand, transported quickly via clipper ships known for their speed.

Immigration and Cultural Impact

Conditions in China, including famine and economic hardship, prompted many Chinese men to migrate, although they did not intend to stay permanently.
Americans often expressed hostility toward Chinese miners through high taxes, violent attacks, and a biased legal system.

Post-Gold Rush Dynamics

Many miners remained in the US even if they did not achieve riches, often transitioning to entrepreneurship.
Levi Strauss, a German immigrant, became successful by selling jeans to gold miners.
Immigrants also came from Europe, Mexico, and South America, contributing to the diverse population.

Demographic Changes and Statehood

The population increase due to the Gold Rush drastically altered the demographic landscape of the West.
California became eligible for statehood just two years after being acquired by the US, fueled by the population explosion.

Economic Effects

The Gold Rush positively impacted agriculture and industry, setting the foundation for California's economic development.
As the Gold Rush waned, society transitioned to a more stable state after the initial chaos of the mining boom.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the California Gold Rush with these flashcards. Explore key terms, important figures, and significant events that shaped this transformative period in American history. Perfect for students studying U.S. history or preparing for exams.