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California Gold Rush Essay

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California Gold Rush Essay
Gold was first discovered on January 24, 1848, by James Marshall at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. Once gold was discovered and the economy of California began to really take off, it did not take long for the government officials to recognize the advantage of allowing California to join the union. As a result, in 1850 California was accepted as a free state. Young men with a pick and wash pan in hand left their wives and children to move to California. Men used dams and flumes to expose stream and river beds for mining. People from around the world came to California to get rich and return home to live on their wealth. During the Gold Rush, San Francisco grew from a small settlement to a town booming with people. California was soon …show more content…
Water in desert areas also caused huge climate problems in the area. Animals fled from their homes because of the loss of water and change in habitat. The entire river and stream courses were destroyed. Water from the rivers was used in giant jet streams that blasted the side of the Sierra Mountains in desert areas. California might have been better off if gold had never been discovered; given its other natural advantages, it might have become popular and prosperous, but such prosperity would have been more gradual, orderly, and civilized. This resulted in the destruction of Native Americans. as these animals were a major food source. The need to transport settled region led to the creation of basic physical and organizational structures and facilities, particularly transportation routes, which was previously unknown in California. The Gold Rush also brought immigrants from China.
Like any major event in history, the California Gold Rush had both positive and negative effects. One moment the California creek beds glimmered with gold. The next moment, the same creeks ran red with the blood of men and women defending their bags of gold from bandits. California saw many changes very fast. Most of the changes play a part in shaping it into what it is today. From Hollywood to San Francisco, today’s lifestyle in California have roots in the Gold

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