Become an Expert
First Spanish mission 1769
Mexican War of Independence
1810-1821
Mexican Land Grants: Pueblos
Mexican American War
1846-1848
Gold Discovered January 24, 1848
California Becomes 31st State 
September 9, 1850
Objective: Learners will demonstrate the ability to explain how the gold rush transformed the economy of California.
Background Information: In 1849 James Marshall discovered gold in Coloma Ca. When word spread that there was gold in California a rush of people entered the area to capitalize on the availability of the rare mineral. People flooded the Sacramento valley and neighboring foothills in search of wealth. The impact of an enormous migration was felt through many communities and vast groups of people. The gold rush also changed many of California’s geographic features and impacted future Californians in terms of the development of cities and transportation.
Resourceful Websites:
http://museumca.org/goldrush/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/calgoldrush/calgoldrush.htm
http://ceres.ca.gov/ceres/calweb/geology/goldrush.html
http://www.museumca.org/goldrush/
http://youtu.be/89I9QkSJbR4
Process: You will become experts on the California Gold Rush. You will locate, read and evaluate information from a variety of sources and answer the following questions:
Questions to answer to become an expert:
Essential Question: How did the Gold Rush of the 1850’s impact California?
1. When was gold first discovered in California?
2. Who was responsible for discovering gold in California?
3. Where was gold first discovered in California?
4. About how many people traveled to California during the Gold Rush?
5. What were the methods of transportation to California during this era?
6. What was life like as a miner?
7. What were some of the environmental impacts that the Gold Rush caused?
8. How were women and immigrants treated during this era?
9. What is one famous person who "struck it rich" from offering a service to the miners and what did that person do to become rich?
10. How did the economy change in California as a result of the Gold Rush?
