California Gold Rush By: Zelda Zane April 26, 2007
Why did they come? James Marshall discovered Gold discovered in Colima, CA on the American River January 24th, 1848
Who Came Thousands of young adventurers with a collective dream--a year of pain in return for a lifetime of riches. They were dubbed "forty-niners" because they left home in 1849.
How did they get there? Clipper Ship Isthmus crossing Overland
Clipper Ship The sea route around the tip of South America often took more than six months. Seasickness food full of bugs Water impossible to drink. boredom
Isthmus Crossing a quicker route was soon employed across Panama rain forests of Central America Malaria and cholera Stranded waiting
Overland shorter than the sea route Not faster, two miles per hour--for up to six months fear of the Native American tribes lack of water
Arrival in California What first: Get supplies- picks, metal pans, long lasting clothing, and cradle What next: Set up Camp Where to go: Sierra Nevada Mountain Range: Stake a claim
Mining Life A bucket of dirt yields 10 cents in gold. 160 buckets a day to make $ 10 hours and finding $10 worth of gold. Accidents, disease, malnutrition and the violent habits high mortality rate. one in every five miners dead within six months
Who Came and Stayed Latinos lost in the rush Indian’s misfortune Blacks prospered Chinese left mark Women in the Gold Rush
Gold Rush Quiz 1. What year did James Marshall discover gold? 2. What was the name of all the people who immigrated to CA to find gold? 3. What were the three modes of transportation usedto get to California? 4. Name two supplies that a miner would need to get started mining