Heading Out West
Someone who finds or makes a new path between places for others to travel on.
A trailblazer
The date in which gold was first discovered.
This form of mining used high-pressure water canons to break away entire hillsides.
What is hydraulic mining.
True or false: Most people became rich by finding gold.
False! Most people did not find gold in the end.
What are the three routes people could take to come to California?
The Panama Route and Cape Horn Route were sea routes, while the Oregon Trail was a land route.
The name of the person who discovered gold.
James Marshall.
Name 3 ways foreign miners were treated unfairly.
They were taxed- Chinese miners had to pay an extra $3 tax. They were killed, robbed, and attacked. Some were forced to leave. Others had their homes burned down.
The name of someone who starts their own business because they see there is a need.
An entrepreneur.
Name 3 reasons why people moved out west to CA during the 1800s.
People moved out west for economic reasons, to trade with others, and to make money. Farmers came to find land while fur trappers came to hunt seals and seat otters. Eventually, people came for gold.
The name of the person who learned the secret that gold had been discovered.
Sam Brannan
Why did Americans treat foreign miners so unfairly?
They believed that since they lived on the land, they should be the ones to look for gold.
How did Sam Brannan become so rich?
After buying all of the mining tools for his general store, Sam increased the prices tremendously. He made thousands of dollars at the start of the gold rush.
What was the name of the "shortcut" sea route and what were two challenges?
The name of the "shortcut" route was the Panama Route. This route required you to cross a dangerous jungle that had poisonous snakes and insects. You could also catch deadly diseases.
The first thing Sam Brannan did when he learned that gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill.
Sam Brannan owned a general store and purchased all of the mining tools that miners would want and need.
Indians were affected in a negative way. Provide 3 examples.
They died from diseases that were brought over. Many died from violent attacks. They were forced to leave, but some fought back. Homes were burned down. The natural resources they relied on for food were destroyed from miners digging up the land. This led to starvation.
Who is Levi Strauss and what did he make that was used during the gold rush and today?
He was an entrepreneur who designed heavy duty denim pants for miners to wear. Today, Levi Jeans are sold all around the world.
Describe what your trip would be like if you traveled to CA using the Oregon Trail land route.
This route was unpredictable and could take a few months to over a year (like my ancestor!). You faced harsh weather, dry deserts, and steep mountains. You could get into fights with Indians, have to cross rivers, and run low on supplies.
Sam Brannan spread the word by...
running through the streets of San Francisco holding a jar of gold dust shouting "Gold has been discovered!"
Describe how San Francisco changed and grew during the gold rush.
Over 80,000 people came to San Francisco during the gold rush. The government was not prepared. The city did not have enough law enforcement in place so there was an increase in crime and violence. When the gold rush happened, hotels, shops, and restaurants popped up everywhere. The harbor was filled with ships. The landscape changed too as miners dug everywhere for gold.
Name multiple ways that people made money during the gold rush.
People sold supplies miners needed, opened up restaurants and hotels, and started businesses.