Klondike Gold Rush
Introduction
The Klondike Gold rush of 1897 changed the lives of many people living in the pacific northwest. Looking back at
western expansion and the reasons for moving out west few people realize the effect of settlement and profit brought by
this gold rush. In this WebQuest you will have the chance to explore what life was like for these gold seeking
entrepreneurs and follow the path they took to get to the Klondike gold fields.
The Task
Your task is to explore the reasons behind the gold rush of 1897 and the paths taken by the
prospectors. While exploring keep in mind these key questions:
1) What were the reasons people flocked to the Klondike area and why?
2) What kinds of materials were needed to make the trek to the Klondike area? Were any required?
3) What paths were available to the "stampeders" and what were the factors that made them choose their path?
4) What sort of environmental factors did the "stampeders" have to face during
their trek?
4) Who was profiting the most from the Klondike gold rush?
5) What was the outcome of the prospectors?
After completing the WebQuest you will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of the Klondike Gold Rush by
creating, with a partner, an artistic depiction of the voyage of your Klondike prospector. Starting from out current city and
then your final destination at Dawson City. This artistic depiction can be in the form of a journal with images and words
describing your voyage, a picture book, a poster, or any other form that can be approved by the teacher. Once completed
groups will present their project to the class.
The Process
You are now all prospectors in the year 1987.
1) Pick a partner to aid in your travel to the Klondike.
2) In a notebook take notes of information you gather while doing research for your voyage.
3) Begin looking over the sites that are linked below.
As you continue to research keep in mind how you would have traveled and what kinds of resources you would need to
make your journey. Keep notes on possible routes of travel and gear needed to make the trip to the Klondike Gold Rush
area.
Once completed with the WebQuest artistic depiction you will be presenting your journey to the rest of the class.
Background Information on the Klondike:
http://www.questconnect.org/ak_klondike.htm
http://www.historynet.com/klondike-gold-rush.htm
http://www.nps.gov/klgo/historyculture/index.htm
http://content.lib.washington.edu/extras/goldrush.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/gold/about.html
Key Cities:
Dawson City
Skagway
Dyea
Seattle
St. Michael
Trails & Traveling:
Chilkoot Trail
White Pass Trail
Trails Overview
Supplies:
http://www.questconnect.org/ak_chilkoot_supplies.htm
http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/exhibits/klondike/case4ex2.html
http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/exhibits/klondike/case4.html
http://www.arcticwebsite.com/goldrushsupplies1898.html
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/55klondike/55klondike.htm
Maps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Klondike_Routes_Map.png
http://www.questconnect.org/ak_klondike_map.htm
http://www.nps.gov/klgo/forkids/images/gold_field_maps.jpg
Pictures:
http://www.arcticwebsite.com/Yukonimages1898.html
http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/goldrush/mining.html
http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/goldrush/trail.html
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Goldrushphoto/02english/02intro.html
Key Figures:
Alexander "Big Alex" McDonald:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9A0CEED7103CE433A25754C1A9669D94699ED7CF
http://www.yukonalaska.com/klondike/byprovince.html - Under Nova Scotia
Belinda Mulroney:
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/carcross/klondike_women_pages/belinda_mulroney.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/11313/Gold_Rush/belinda.html
Kathleen "Klondike Kate" Rockwell:
http://library.thinkquest.org/11313/Gold_Rush/kate.html
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/carcross/klondike_women_pages/klondike_kate.htm
John W. Nordstrom:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/klse/hrs/hrs3a.htm
http://about.nordstrom.com/aboutus/companyhist/companyhist.asp
Video's:
Off to the Klondike! The Search for Gold
Rocking Gold in the Klondike (1901)
Klondike Gold Rush Picture Video
Klondike Gold Rush Images/Video
Gold Rocker Box
Evaluation
The WebQuest is finished and now it is time to demonstrate your knowledge of the Klondike Gold
Rush. Next you will share your projects with the rest of the class. In this portion you will
describe your journey and why you chose the route you did. Share what you expect to
encounter on your journey and also what you think is waiting for you in the Klondike area.
It is important to keep in mind the questions asked in the Task section when describing your
travels. I am looking forward to hearing of your travels prospectors!
Refer to this rubric for what I am looking for in the presentations and artistic depictions:
Process
Product
Understanding
Beginning
Proficient
Exemplary
1
3
5
Student rarely spent
computer research
time on
WebQuest. Notebook
contains few entries
from WebQuest
material.
Student was
always on task
during
Student spent
computer
research time mostly
research
on task. Notebook
time. Notebook
contains some
contains many
WebQuest entries.
entries of
research from
WebQuest
sites.
Artistic
depictions
Artistic depictions do
Artistic depictions
clearly reflect
not reflect the journey
mostly reflect the
the journey of a
of a Klondike
journey of a Klondike
Klondike
prospector. Depictions prospector. Depictions
prospector.
are not organized and are mostly clear and
Depictions are
unclear.
organized.
exceptionally
clear and
organized.
During the
presentation students
show little
understanding of the
Klondike gold rush.
During the
presentation students
show moderate
understanding of the
Klondike gold rush.
During the
presentation
students show
exceptional
understanding
of the Klondike
gold rush.
Score