CH. 11.4 “The California Gold Rush” p. 364-369
KEY
Discovery of Gold Brings Settlers
 In the 1830s and 1840s:
o The Oregon Trail split at the Snake River. The southern route was called the
California Trail.
o Few people actually settled in California. Merchants were more interested in trading
manufactured goods for gold & silver coins, hides, tallow, etc.
o California population before Mexican-American war: Mostly Mexicans & Native Am.
o In 1839, John Sutter started a colony called Sutter’s Fort near Sacramento.
 Donner Party (3facts): 1. headed to CA, but stranded in Sierra NV Mts. 2. Started in
Spring, 1846 3. Looking for short cut -- got lost --starving 4. Rescued Feb. 1847 5.
42 of 87 died
 Gold in California
o 1848: James Marshal discovered Gold at Sutter’s Mill
o 1849: 80,000 gold seekers came to CA
o forty-niners (3 facts): gold seeking migrants to CA. “gold fever” was contagious,
80% = Americans, 20% = rest of world, San Francisco main port & trade center
 Staking a Claim (3 facts):___________________________________________________
o Mining methods(2 methods): Placer miners = pans/wash nuggets out or gravel
from rivers & streams, Dug shafts & tunnels to get buried deposits
o 1853 yearly gold production: more than $60 million
o The majority of gold miners did not get rich!
 Life in the Mining Camps (one fact per paragraph)
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
 Immigrants to California --Immigrants drawn by the lure of wealth
o Chinese Immigrants (3 facts):
1. __________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________
o 1849 alone 20,000 immigrants arrived from China, Europe, Mexico, & South Am.
Impact on California
 Population Boom
o 1850: California became 31st state
o Negative consequences for Californios and Native Americans who were treated
like trespassers.
 Economic Growth
o Rapid population growth, new businesses and industries.
o Other ways of making a living: farming and ranching
o Obstacle to growth: isolated from rest of country
o Solution: Transcontinental Railroad
o 1869: Transcontinental Railroad completed
 Copy the “Westward Movement” QUICK FACTS Cause & Effect Chart from p. 368.
WESTWARD MOVEMENT IN THE U.S.
QUICK FACTS
CAUSES:
o Americans believe in the idea of Manifest Destiny
o U.S. acquires vast new lands in the West.
o Pathfinders open trails to new territories.
o Gold is discovered in California
EFFECTS:
o Native Americans are forced off lands.
o Americans travel west and settle new areas.
o The U.S. stretches to the Pacific Ocean.
o California experiences a population boom.
1. Review your notes. Then complete the graphic organizer below to show how the discovery of gold
changed California. (Possible answers shown—accept reasonable answers.)
Economic growth
and transformation
Population Boom
in CA
Immigration
increases diversity of
population
Discovery
of Gold
Discrimination of
Californios and
Native Americans
California
Statehood
Read pgs. 370-371. Record some facts NOT already included in your notes.