USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Most were Americans, though a number of settlers also came from China, Europe, and South America. The massive influx gave rise to numerous cities and towns, with San Francisco gaining particular prominence. The Gold Rush was credited with hastening statehood for California in 1850.

Detailed explanation-2: -San Francisco, which was one city that grew immensely as a result of the gold rush, had a population of approximately 1000 people in 1848, which grew to an astounding 3500 people in 1850. This large growth in population led to California becoming a State in 1850.

Detailed explanation-3: -Three settlements were principal beneficiaries of the Gold Rush. San Francisco, a sleepy village called “Yerba Buena” until 1847, became California’s major seaport, far eclipsing San Diego, San Pedro, and Monterey to the south.

Detailed explanation-4: -Almost overnight, the gold rush transformed San Francisco into a booming city filled with makeshift tent-houses, hotels, stores, saloons, gambling halls, and shanties. By 1849, as the gold rush fever swept through the country, the city’s population exploded to a staggering 25, 000.

Detailed explanation-5: -During the gold rush, Idaho City became the largest city in the Northwest. In 1862, gold was discovered in the Boise Basin and the town of Idaho City sprung up and quickly became a boom town.