USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the early years of the rush, much of the population growth in the San Francisco area was due to steamship travel from New York City through overland portages in Nicaragua and Panama and then back up by steamship to San Francisco.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -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-4: -Several days earlier, January 24, 1848, gold had been discovered on the American River near Sacramento, and the ensuing gold rush hastened California’s admittance to the Union. With the Gold Rush came a huge increase in population and a pressing need for civil government.

Detailed explanation-5: -In response to reports from California, Polk stated that such an “abundance” of gold had been found that the news “would scarcely command belief.” Aspiring miners “rushed” to California, causing the state’s population to increase by more than 300 percent between 1850 and 1860.