THERE BE GOLD IN THEM HILLS

-California becomes a state in the United States in 1848.

-In the same year, a construction worker James Marshall discovered gold near Sacramento!

-GAME ON!!!

The Forty-Niners

With in 2 years over 80,000 people came to California searching for gold.

They were nicknamed the forty-niners! How do you think they got their nickname in 1849?!?

-Population of California in 2 years jumped from 14,000 to 100,000

Excuse me…your in my water-Many fights, either through their fists or through the use of the law, were fought over who owned that part of the stream.

-Water Rights are the legal rights to use the water in a river, stream or other body of water.

-Water was important to sift through the mud and sand to find gold.

-Even gold dust was found if you were that good of a miner.

Mining Towns

-Only popular as long as gold was continuing to be mined.

-Ghost towns are created after they leave the town for more gold.

-Vigilantes? What are they and why are they important.

The People-Large groups of African Americans tried their luck in the mining camps as well at the streams. (No slavery in California)

-Native American tribes were tricked or simply killed by vigilante gangs in order to steal their land.

-The Chinese were the largest group that migrated to the West Coast.

-The Chinese were the number 1 work force in the West.