Gold Discovered in California 1848

The California gold rush was a unique event, even though there were many other gold rushes in world history. James Marshall found gold in California in 1848. However, many others rushed when they heard about the gold in California. The gold rush was important to California history for a few reasons.

Early in the year of 1848 was when James Marshall found gold. However, he found it on John Sutters land. John Sutter kept it a secret so no one would find out until he couldn't help bragging. Still it was only until 1849 that President Polk confirmed the discovery.

In a matter of months, the word spread eastward all across the world. There was a lot of different ways that people came to California. Some came by taking the Oregon - California trail. Others came by sailing around the tip of South America. Still, others came by shortcuts across Mexico and Panama. No matter which road they took, it was always a very difficult journey.

The people that were looking for gold were called the 49ers because most of them left to search in 1849. The 49ers were not only Americans. People came from China, France, Germany - nearly every country in the world. The 49ers kept on rushing until 1852, when it reached it's peak.

At first gold was easy to find, but soon it became difficult to find. The ones who did find it, used it on the basic things that were needed to live. In the end, the biggest money-makers were the ones who sold the supplies to the miners. When the gold became hard to find, most miners stayed in California and became farmers or merchants.

The gold rush attracted so many settlers to California, that California needed a more organized government. In 1849 a convention got together in Monterey and adopted a state constitution. On it, there was a part saying no slavery. Shortly afterward, in 1850, California became the 31st state.

By Maureeen D'Souza - Anjo

Sources

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