Task 1
Frost, GKE1 Task 1 Page 1
GKE Task 1 Part A:
Over the centuries there have been many different environmental and geographical factors that have shaped the development of the United States. Two of these factors that I feel are extremely significant to this development are the Irish Potato Famine and the discovery of gold in California. The Irish Potato Famine began in Ireland in September 1845. The famine was caused by an airborne fungus, phytophthora infetans, which attacks the leaves of the plant, turning them black, causing them to curl and rot, ultimately killing the plant. The rotting plant makes the perfect environment for the fungus to multiply. The wind then carries the fungus spores to more healthy plants. (Irish Potato Famine, 2000) This famine caused such dire conditions for the families. The main source of food and income withered away before their eyes. Since families could not make ends meet, half-a-million people were evicted from their homes. The landlords used a method of getting rid of their poor tenants by promising them food, money and prosperity in America. The families left with nowhere to go fell for the empty promises and migrated to America. The famine caused around 650,000 Irish emigrants to come to America in huge waves. 52,000 arrived in New York City in 1847 alone. (Irish Potato Famine, 2000) The California Gold Rush began in January 1848, when gold was discovered in the American River near present day Sacramento by James Marshall. News of this discovery traveled to New York City. In August 1848 the New York Herald announced the discovery, kicking off the migration west with dreams of striking in rich in California. By December 1949, San Francisco’s population jumped to 100,000. Prior to the Gold Rush, California’s population was 25,000, but by 1852 the total population was 223,856. This population growth ensured California’s incorporation into the United States of America as the 31st state and the first western state. As a result,
GKE Task 1 Part A:
Over the centuries there have been many different environmental and geographical factors that have shaped the development of the United States. Two of these factors that I feel are extremely significant to this development are the Irish Potato Famine and the discovery of gold in California. The Irish Potato Famine began in Ireland in September 1845. The famine was caused by an airborne fungus, phytophthora infetans, which attacks the leaves of the plant, turning them black, causing them to curl and rot, ultimately killing the plant. The rotting plant makes the perfect environment for the fungus to multiply. The wind then carries the fungus spores to more healthy plants. (Irish Potato Famine, 2000) This famine caused such dire conditions for the families. The main source of food and income withered away before their eyes. Since families could not make ends meet, half-a-million people were evicted from their homes. The landlords used a method of getting rid of their poor tenants by promising them food, money and prosperity in America. The families left with nowhere to go fell for the empty promises and migrated to America. The famine caused around 650,000 Irish emigrants to come to America in huge waves. 52,000 arrived in New York City in 1847 alone. (Irish Potato Famine, 2000) The California Gold Rush began in January 1848, when gold was discovered in the American River near present day Sacramento by James Marshall. News of this discovery traveled to New York City. In August 1848 the New York Herald announced the discovery, kicking off the migration west with dreams of striking in rich in California. By December 1949, San Francisco’s population jumped to 100,000. Prior to the Gold Rush, California’s population was 25,000, but by 1852 the total population was 223,856. This population growth ensured California’s incorporation into the United States of America as the 31st state and the first western state. As a result,
Cited: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. (2000). Retrieved May 21, 2013, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/regy/hd_regy.htm Irish Potato Famine. (2000). Retrieved May 20, 2013, from The History Place: www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/ Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History. (2000). Retrieved May 21, 2013, from The History Guide: www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture3b.html The California Gold Rush, 1849. (2003). Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Eye Witness to History: www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/californiagoldrush.htm Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Eqypt. (2008). Retrieved May 21, 2013, from US History : www.ushistory.org/civ/3a.asp