The California Gold Rush

I CAN... Explain the California Gold Rush.

​Essential Question?

What were a few causes and effects
of the California Gold Rush?

​Thanks to John Sutter and the gold rush, Sacramento became a city in 1849. In 1854, it became the state capital of California. 

Everyone agreed to keep the secret: gold had  been discovered in California.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following cities became the capitol of California in 1854?

• San Diego
• Sacramento
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles

​In 1848, the world was very different from  today. There were no phones, TVs, or radios. Back then, it was harder to get a message from  the East Coast to California than it is to get a message to Mars today. There were no roads or  railroads connecting California with the states  in the East. Almost all of California’s people were Native Americans.

Open Ended

In 1848, why was it difficult to communicate from California to the rest of the United States?

At the time of James Marshall’s discovery, California belonged to Mexico. Nine days later, Mexico signed the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War. The treaty gave California to the United States.

​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following wars was fought before the California Gold Rush?

• Mexican-American War
• War of 1812
• American Civil War
• The French and Indian War

People soon showed up to work the rivers near Sutter’s Mill. Some of them were European, and some were Native American. Others came from Mexico. Next came immigrants from Asia and South America.

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The term prospector was born out of the gold rush. It  means a person who moves to a spot with the prospect,  or possibility, of finding gold and becoming rich. Gold fever was the greed and contagious excitement brought on by the discovery of gold.

Open Ended

Why did immigrants from Mexico, Asia, and South America go to California?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a good effect of the California Gold Rush?

• California became a rich state.

• Decline in agricultural production.
• Worsening of living conditions for miners.
• Native American Indians died.

Multiple Choice

Why was 85% of the Native American Indian population killed?

• United States government treaties

• harsh conditions from gold mining

• smallpox and influenza

• lack of food and clothing

Open Ended

During the California Gold Rush, what happened to the Native American Indians?