2. A community that experiences sudden and rapid growth is often called a boom town. Many of these fast-growing towns were set up during the California Gold Rush. What was the California Gold Rush?

3. Throughout 1848, reports and rumors about plentiful gold in the mountains and streams of California spread throughout America. Some of the versions seemed too good to be true -- chunks of gold waiting to be scooped up. Instant prosperity! On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk confirmed the tales of gold in his State of the Union address. The race was on. Thousands of individuals began streaming out west across America -- some by land, some by sea. Thousands more traveled from other countries to California. Some found the quick riches of their dreams. Most faced unending days of monotonous, back-breaking labor.

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=_X2tfAtHC_8

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0KjeUDoqxY