USA HISTORY

MANIFEST DESTINY 1806 1855

ELECTION OF 1848 AND THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
People came to California during the gold rush for new opportunities and to get rich.
A
True
B
False
C
Either A or B
D
None of the above
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The output of gold rose from $5 million in 1848 to $40 million in 1849 and $55 million in 1851. However, only a minority of miners made much money from the Californian Gold Rush. It was much more common for people to become wealthy by providing the miners with over-priced food, supplies and services.

Detailed explanation-2: -The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 and was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century.

Detailed explanation-3: -Before the discovery of gold, the territory’s population was approximately 160, 000, the vast majority of whom were Native Americans. By about 1855, more than 300, 000 people had arrived. Most were Americans, though a number of settlers also came from China, Europe, and South America.

Detailed explanation-4: -The people who really made money on the California Gold Rush were merchants. Take Levi Strauss. When he heard news of the California Gold Rush, he headed to San Francisco where he established his wholesale dry goods business in 1853.

There is 1 question to complete.