49ers

Essential Questions1. Complete an extra credit quiz pertaining

to the California gold rush.

2. Summarize the events that led to California becoming the 31st state.

3. Describe the different techniques used by miners during the California gold rush.

4. Identify the individuals who profited from the California gold rush.

5. Explain both the positives and negatives of the California gold rush.

California Gold Rush Trivia

1. What article of clothing was invented during the Gold Rush?

2. What is the popular expression that people shout when they have found something?

3. What was one ounce of gold worth in 1849?

4. What is one ounce of gold worth today (2011)?

5. Which NFL team was named after the first people to flock to California in search of gold?

1. Jeans

2. Eureka!

3. $20.67

4. $1120.44

5. San Francisco 49ers

California Ceded to the U.S. after

the Mexican-American War.

In 1848, the non-native population was less than 15,000.

(CA Population - 2009)

36,961,664

The construction of Sutter’s saw mill would play a large role in the future of California.

Sutter’s Mill John Sutter, a Swiss

immigrant, dreamed of building an empire in California.

While constructing a saw mill, a carpenter, James Marshall, finds gold.

Newspaper Headlines"Gold is everywhere you look, sparkling in the sun and glittering in the streams. It lies on the open plain, in the shadows of deep ravines and it glows on the summit of the mountains."-According to National News During California's Gold Rush

From around the world, 300,000 people traveled to California seeking gold.

Traveling to California Early gold seekers,

called “49ers,” traveled to California by covered wagons and steamships.

Travel BrochureSea Route Ship to

Panama & overland to the Pacific

Via Trail

Miles: 18,000 miles 9,000 2,000 miles

Time: 6 - 12 months

3 – 6 months 6 months

Risks: Sea- sickness,

rotten food, stale water

and boredom.

Sea-sickness, malaria, and

cholera.

Sweltering heat with

little food or water and

the possibility of

cholera.

Shortest!

Fastest!

Deadliest!

Which route would you take?

Describe the physical features of the gold-mining area.

On average, miners spent 10 hours a day in the water sifting through the cold water and mud for

gold.

“Tools of the 49ers”

Shovel

Pan

Pick

There were several different methods used to excavate gold in the 1840’s.

1

2

3

45

6

1. Panning BackNext

2. Winnowing BackNext

3. Crushing Quartz BackNext

4. Cradle (Rocker) BackNext

5. The Long Tom BackNext

6. Waterwheeling

CHINESE INFLUENCE IN THE CALIFORNIA GOLD

RUSH

Back

Huge numbers of people fled to California with the dreams of becoming rich. For many of them, that

dream never became reality.

Do you know any of these people?

These were all people who became famous without mining for gold!

Henry Wells & William Fargo

Created the Wells Fargo Company.

Provided banking, mail, and stage coach services to miners.

Back

Next

Levi Strauss Ran a successful

dry-goods store.

Patented canvas pants with riveted pockets.

Now called “Levis.”

Back

Next

Mark Twain Born- Samuel

Clemens

Headed West for the Gold Rush.

Became a famous writer of his experiences

Back

Next

Negatives of the Gold Rush

Native Americans became the victims of disease, starvation, and genocidal attacks.

- Native American population:- 1845 ~ 150,000- 1870 ~ below

30,000

Positives of the Gold Rush Cities were charted.

Roads, schools, and churches were formed.

Improved transportation between California and the east coast.

San Francisco's harbor 1850 or 1851

Another Compromise? California, in 1850,

had the population needed to apply for statehood.

The BIG question: Free or Slave

State?

Henry Clay will provide the Compromise of 1850

At age 73, Henry Clay is creating ways to keep the

peace.

Compromise of 1850

1. California admitted as a Free State.

2. The people of New Mexico and Utah would vote to decide if they were slave or free.

3. Slave auctions in Washington, D.C. was illegalized.

4. Slavery in Washington, D.C. was still legal.

5. The Fugitive Slave Act forced all Americans to help return runaway slaves their owners.

Essential Questions

1. Summarize the events that led to California becoming the 31st state.

2. Describe the different techniques used by miners during the California gold rush.

3. Identify the individuals who profited from the California gold rush.

4. Explain both the positives and negatives of the California gold rush.