10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America Research Paper
The ten dates that were selected by the History Channel while consulting a group of distinguished historians each triggered a series of events that shaped and molded America. Though they all have an enormous impact on American history, culture, and legacy many other dates not mentioned also produced extreme changes throughout America’s history.
January 24, 1848: Gold Rush: Eliminated
The California gold rush drastically changed America in numerous ways. It facilitated economic growth and prosperity in the west. In addition, it “inspired perhaps the largest mass movement of people in world history. ‘Neither the Crusades nor Alexander’s expeditions to India (all things considered) can equal this emigration to California,’ wrote one forty-niner.” (Gillon, n.d.) Despite dramatic changes that occurred due to the Gold Rush, one outcome of the Gold Rush –California’s constitution– significantly instigated even more remarkable change, especially when considering how long each actually took to complete.
October 13, 1849: The signing of California's Constitution
After the explosion of people to the west, demands for statehood began to become more insistent and frequent. In California, forty-eight delegates met in Monterey for a constitutional convention called for by Brigadier General Bennett Riley, head of the established military government. Thirty-six of the men were born in the US; six were native-born Californios, and the remaining came from Europe. Their backgrounds varied, but law, ranching and merchandising predominated. The constitution was signed on October 13, 1849. (City of Monterey, n.d.) A unanimous vote proclaimed California as a free state, “Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State.” (California Const. art. 1, § 18) This decision was of vital importance to the balance of power between the slave-owning states and those, which stood against slavery. (City of Monterey, n.d.) The
January 24, 1848: Gold Rush: Eliminated
The California gold rush drastically changed America in numerous ways. It facilitated economic growth and prosperity in the west. In addition, it “inspired perhaps the largest mass movement of people in world history. ‘Neither the Crusades nor Alexander’s expeditions to India (all things considered) can equal this emigration to California,’ wrote one forty-niner.” (Gillon, n.d.) Despite dramatic changes that occurred due to the Gold Rush, one outcome of the Gold Rush –California’s constitution– significantly instigated even more remarkable change, especially when considering how long each actually took to complete.
October 13, 1849: The signing of California's Constitution
After the explosion of people to the west, demands for statehood began to become more insistent and frequent. In California, forty-eight delegates met in Monterey for a constitutional convention called for by Brigadier General Bennett Riley, head of the established military government. Thirty-six of the men were born in the US; six were native-born Californios, and the remaining came from Europe. Their backgrounds varied, but law, ranching and merchandising predominated. The constitution was signed on October 13, 1849. (City of Monterey, n.d.) A unanimous vote proclaimed California as a free state, “Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State.” (California Const. art. 1, § 18) This decision was of vital importance to the balance of power between the slave-owning states and those, which stood against slavery. (City of Monterey, n.d.) The