History
1. What was the impact of the Gold Rush on California and California Statehood? How did race and ethnicity factor into this historical period? (Pick at least one racial/ethnic group and explain how this group was affected.)
The Gold Rush of 1848-1855 in California began after a discovery by James Marshall. The impacts of the rush were immense with people flocking the state from all over other states. A small statehood of just about 200 residents grew to 36,000 by the year 1852 (Ohlone College online, prg 13). The surging increase in population led to development of roads, and other social amenities like churches and schools. The statehood acquired a written constitution with a governor. The legislature of the state began in 1850 with a promissory note of prosperity (Ohlone College online, prg 21). One ethnic group that became adversely affected was the Native American habitants of California. Their traditional economic and social system was disrupted. Hunting, agriculture, and gathering practices became a problem making most of them to succumb to diseases (Starr, 86).
2. What was the social and economic impact of the railroad on California? How did race and ethnicity factor into this historical development?
One of the Gold Rush benefits was the railroad in California in 1950. Many people found it easy to move around the various states from California. This was a big boost to the linkage between many people. According to Triem (prg, 12) there was a boost in the interstate discourse on intellectual matters as books and literature-materials were written and found a proper circulation. The former indigenous lives of the Native Americans were also affected as they had a limited manner of practicing their way of life. They gradually, mingled with the emergent immigrants and became diverse in their way of life. On an economic spectrum, there was a surge in interstate trade. According to a research, there was a record of over $50 million dollars of shipped freights every year (Triem, prg. 14). Markets opened as new products and industries sprouted in right from the Far East to the state, California. Furthermore, the railroad was a great milestone towards the technology index. Later, the social life of the people changed in relation to technological affiliations. Trade, agriculture, and oil exploration followed suit. These were major phenomenological changes in the state over a couple of decades.
Reference
Ohlone College. The Gold Rush and California Statehood Article 163: English Learning Center. Url http://www.ohlone.edu/instr/english/elc/engl163/goldrush.html Retrieved 2013-07-17.
Starr, K. (2007). California: A history. New York: Modern Library.
Triem, Judith "The American Experience: National Register of Historic Places Nomination" .url. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tcrr-impact/ Retrieved 2013-07-17
