January 24, 1848
The California Gold Rush
Key Terms:
Readings:
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Introduction:“Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” - Henry David Thoreau
“American democracy was born of no theorist's dream; it was not carried in the Susan Constant to Virginia, nor in the Mayflower to Plymouth. It came stark and strong and full of life out of the American forest, and it gained new strength each time it touched the new frontier.” - Frederick Jackson Turner January 24th, 1848 – a seemingly uninteresting day in the minds of most Americans, however the revelations of that day changed the fate of our nation forever. On that day, James Marshall, a naïve American citizen, found gold in the California territory and sparked the massive westward migration after 1848, known as the American gold rush. Unfortunately, not everyone found the wealth that was supposed to exist on the alluring frontier. Competition was rampant and before many 49ers knew it, the age of labor intensive mining turned into industrial, capital-based mining. Although it was majestic idealism that finally led to the east meeting the west, sovereignty and order in California did not come without tragedy and conflict. From wars with Native Americans to fights with the Californias, the settlement of the California territory resulted in magnificent stories, broken dreams and bloodshed prior to settling and finally becoming a peaceful state.
The quest for gold transformed America, bringing in over 500,000 people into the California territory and is responsible for the eventual industrialization of the west. Using primary sources, reenactments, expert historians’ analysis and dramatic imagery, you will explore the premises for moving west and dissects the myths that were entrenched in the idea of the 19th century American frontier. Fun Fact: DID YOU KNOW that there was a California-bound airline in 1849? Rufus Porter, founder of Scientific American, conjured the idea of flying “49ers” westward on propeller-driven balloons. When he advertised his proposition, 200 brave gold-seekers signed up for the ride, but the airline never got off the ground. |
The Assignment
Module Directions:
Start by watching the short documentary on the California Gold Rush. Follow this by reading the assigned pages in the book. It is important for you to understand that the documentary and the book were created autonomous of one-another meaning that both of them use different sources and provide varying perspectives. Follow your consumption of the content by developing your understanding of the key terms outlined above. You will then answer each of the following guiding questions. It is recommended that you understand the questions before you start your reading.
Guiding Questions:
Primary Source Analysis:
For the all glory, expectation, and opportunity that the American west held for the working class, the Native Americans received none of them and were unjustly treated as their lands were encroached upon by Americans. The United States government treated the Native Americans like savages and followed their unwritten slogan, “A good Indian is a dead Indian.” Read the following passage from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, the treaty that ended the United States-Mexican War, and answer the questions below in well-written paragraphs on your own:
Excerpts from Article XI of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
Considering that a great part of the territories, which, by the present treaty, are to be comprehended for the future within the limits of the United States, is now occupied by savage tribes, who will hereafter be under the exclusive control of the Government of the United States, and whose incursions within the territory of Mexico would be prejudicial in the extreme, it is solemnly agreed that all such incursions shall be forcibly restrained by the Government of the United States whensoever this may be necessary; and that when they cannot be prevented, they shall be punished by the said Government, and satisfaction for the same shall be exacted all in the same way, and with equal diligence and energy, as if the same incursions were meditated or committed within its own territory, against its own citizens.
And in the event of any person or persons, captured within Mexican territory by Indians, being carried into the territory of the United States, the Government of the latter engages and binds itself, in the most solemn manner, so soon as it shall know of such captives being within its territory, and shall be able so to do, through the faithful exercise of its influence and power, to rescue them and return them to their country, or deliver them to the agent or representative of the Mexican Government. The Mexican authorities will, as far as practicable, give to the Government of the United States notice of such captures; and its agents shall pay the expenses incurred in the maintenance and transmission of the rescued captives; who, in the mean time, shall be treated with the utmost hospitality by the American authorities at the place where they may be. But if the Government of the United States, before receiving such notice from Mexico, should obtain intelligence, through any other channel, of the existence of Mexican captives within its territory, it will proceed forthwith to effect their release and delivery to the Mexican agent, as above stipulated.
Start by watching the short documentary on the California Gold Rush. Follow this by reading the assigned pages in the book. It is important for you to understand that the documentary and the book were created autonomous of one-another meaning that both of them use different sources and provide varying perspectives. Follow your consumption of the content by developing your understanding of the key terms outlined above. You will then answer each of the following guiding questions. It is recommended that you understand the questions before you start your reading.
Guiding Questions:
- Who is James Marshall and what did he discover? Why was his discovery so important? What did it lead to?
- Who were William Swain and Sarah Royce? Are their stories typical of migrating Americans? Did they find success once out on the frontier? If so, how did they find this success? Are you surprised by their triumphs and tragedies?
- What did the Sierra Nevada Mountains signify to those who were moving west?
- What challenges did these mountains and their obstacles present to gold-seekers?
- What were mining camps? Was it easy to find gold upon arrival into the Sacramento valley?
- How did Sarah Royce describe her peers in mining towns? Do her descriptions and journal entries strike you as surprising? Why?
- Who are the Californias? Who is Marian G. Vallejo? What did Mr. Vallejo think of the gold rush at first? Are you surprised at his economic demise after major industrialization and commercialization eventually transformed California?
- What type of person had the best chance at finding success during the gold rush? What do you think would have been the best way to support yourself if you were in the Sacramento valley in 1849?
- What does the economic and socioeconomic evolution in San Francisco tell you about the gold rush? Why was San Francisco an epicenter for commerce in California?
- What happened to California on September 9th, 1850? Why was the speed of this occurrence so shocking?
- How did hydraulic mining work? Why was it needed? What did the need for hydraulic mining mean for the individual miner who was trying to strike it rich on his own?
- What does William Swain’s story tell you about the gold rush? What do his letters say about his character and the character of those who pursued their own American dream? How do you think the west shaped his character?
Primary Source Analysis:
For the all glory, expectation, and opportunity that the American west held for the working class, the Native Americans received none of them and were unjustly treated as their lands were encroached upon by Americans. The United States government treated the Native Americans like savages and followed their unwritten slogan, “A good Indian is a dead Indian.” Read the following passage from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, the treaty that ended the United States-Mexican War, and answer the questions below in well-written paragraphs on your own:
Excerpts from Article XI of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
Considering that a great part of the territories, which, by the present treaty, are to be comprehended for the future within the limits of the United States, is now occupied by savage tribes, who will hereafter be under the exclusive control of the Government of the United States, and whose incursions within the territory of Mexico would be prejudicial in the extreme, it is solemnly agreed that all such incursions shall be forcibly restrained by the Government of the United States whensoever this may be necessary; and that when they cannot be prevented, they shall be punished by the said Government, and satisfaction for the same shall be exacted all in the same way, and with equal diligence and energy, as if the same incursions were meditated or committed within its own territory, against its own citizens.
And in the event of any person or persons, captured within Mexican territory by Indians, being carried into the territory of the United States, the Government of the latter engages and binds itself, in the most solemn manner, so soon as it shall know of such captives being within its territory, and shall be able so to do, through the faithful exercise of its influence and power, to rescue them and return them to their country, or deliver them to the agent or representative of the Mexican Government. The Mexican authorities will, as far as practicable, give to the Government of the United States notice of such captures; and its agents shall pay the expenses incurred in the maintenance and transmission of the rescued captives; who, in the mean time, shall be treated with the utmost hospitality by the American authorities at the place where they may be. But if the Government of the United States, before receiving such notice from Mexico, should obtain intelligence, through any other channel, of the existence of Mexican captives within its territory, it will proceed forthwith to effect their release and delivery to the Mexican agent, as above stipulated.
- What does this excerpt mean for the Native Americans that rightfully held property prior to the American settlers coming west?
- The language used in the official document when referring to Native Americans is very strong. Pick out 3-5 words in the excerpt and discuss the connotation of each.
- What was happening to Native Americans at this time in the west? Can you justify the American feelings toward Native Americans at the time?
- The Americans were devout enemies with Mexico prior to this treaty, but still refer to the Native Americans with irreverent language. Does this juxtaposition strike you as strange? What does it mean to you?
Are You the Expert?
If this is one of the five events you have chosen to become an expert on, you will continue your experience with this module by completing the following.
Rhetorical Analysis of a Paired Reading:
Extended Historical Analysis:
Rhetorical Analysis of a Paired Reading:
Extended Historical Analysis: