The discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in the early 1848 contributed to the Gold Rush which was one of the most significant events in the history of America in the 19th century. The news about Gold discovery spread fast and wide across all regions and triggered thousands of prospective gold miners to travel by sea or overland to San Francisco and the areas that surrounded that region. Many travelled from far regions and in large numbers which led to increase in population where, the non-native population was estimated to be around 100,000 by the end of 1849. In this process, a total worth of $2 billion worth of Gold was extracted from the area and more was to come (Clay and Jones, 119). The large population of the 49ers as they were referred to brought about the internal westward movement of Americans from the eastern states who hoped to make fortunes in California. The discovery of the gold nuggets in California was first made at the saw mill owned by John Sutter who at first guarded it to keep the secret maintained. However, news about such a discovery could not be held for long as soon word got out and spread like a bush fire. The California Gold Rush was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century
The migration of people from all parts of the United States came about after word quickly spread through California, the rest of America and eventually the world. It attracted many people from various regions who came to California with aims of making the fortune. The huge migration was actually estimated to have increased the population by about 86,000 people in a span of two years. 1849 was an undoubtedly a significant year as it brought many of the treasure seekers to California, and thus, they acquired the name 49ers (Clay and Jones, 150). They travelled to California via land and sea and the journey was hazardous especially for those who travelled over land. Many of the land travelers made their journey on foot or used wagons. The journey was tiresome as it took them even a maximum of nine months to get to California. Others migrants came by sea or across the ocean and landed at the port.
The whole migration process involved only two routes where the first was entailed a six month sea voyage from New York around the tip of South America to San Diego or San Francisco. The hazards in the journey were severe as many peopled encountered sea sicknesses; bug infested food, boredom and incorporated huge expenses that made the route unattractive for many (Clay and Jones, 166). The second route that involved wagons brought travelers over the Oregon, California trail where they faced challenges such as highly rugged terrain and hostile territory. These long and tiresome journeys led to the construction of the Panama Railway that facilitated the world’s first transcontinental railroad. The railway line was built across the Isthmus of Panama by private American companies to hasten the travel to California. It helped in cutting down the long voyage around South America (Clay and Jones, 103).
Similarly, the migration process from the eastern U.S to the California Gold Rush stimulated a global immigration process of ambitious fortune-seekers from areas across other parts of the world. These areas included: China, Germany, Mexico, Ireland, turkey and France. Many Chinese migrants who travelled to California only came for the gold but had no intentions of settling (Fradin, 11). They referred to California as the Gold Mountain where they only wanted to acquire as much gold as they could before returning to their original homes. Their intentions were to go back home richer that they had arrived as gold was highly valued. Their whole migration process involved bandits who preyed on foreigners in order to steal the gold. However, the Chinese adopted a unique strategy where they melted the gold to make household goods such as pots and other utensils. After arriving back home, they would re-melt the golden utensils and recover their gold (Clay and Jones, 169).
The discovery of gold in California was made on a property owned by a Swiss immigrant by the name John Sutter. He had moved to California with claims that he had served as a Royal Swiss Guard of the French King. The interesting aspect about Jon Sutter was that he talked his way into opportunity. Upon his arrival in California, Sutter approached the governor of California, which by then was a Mexican territory. He presented a letter of introduction which impressed the governor who requested him to find a suitable tract of land where he could begin settlement. In the mid 1840’s Sutter built a huge estate where the discovery of gold was made on his property on January 24, 1848. It resulted in a Gold Rush in California where the workers in his settlement deserted him to search for gold in the hills and squatters stormed on his lands. This came as a shock to him as in 1852 he was rendered bankrupt (Fradin, 29).
At first, the discovery of gold nuggets in Sutter’s land was closely guarded and kept as a secret but word broke out in the mid-1848. Newspapers were the first prospects to spread the rumors where even President James Polk made a remark about the gold discovery in his annual address to the Congress in December 1848. These aspects brought about the spread of the news about the discovery across the United States and other parts of the world (Fradin, 22). The incident was marked by large migrations of fortune seekers who intended to make fortunes out of the discovery. Sutter later returned to the east coast as he was driven out his property by the Gold Miners and other political reasons.
Throughout the 19th century the United States were rising in power and population while Mexico was still affected by political unrest, civil conflicts and other troubling aspects (Lewis, 11). The idea of the United States taking over California a Mexican territory brought about much tension especially in 1835 where Texas battles and gained independence in Mexico. This brought about warfare and the Texas-Mexico border was established along the Rio Grande. The gold mine also brought war between Mexico and America, where the U.S. army fought their way overland into Mexico from California and eventually from Veracruz straight to the capitol (Lewis, 19). A peace treaty was sent from Santa Anna in Mexico to Washington in the early 1847 but the termed were not agreed upon. American troops invaded the capital city and quickly took control. This drove the Mexicans out of California, especially Santa Anna ad they fled to Central Mexico. The treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was formulated on February 2nd, 1848 where President Polk sent Peace Ambassadors, Nicholas, Trist to central Mexico to set the terms of the treaty. Trist was the only American who signed the treaty which established the Texas-Mexican border along the Rio Grande (Raum, 315).
The discovery of the gold in California had at first been kept a secret but to no avail as word still got out and the newspapers and rumors from the local people spread the word which drew more people. Many people from far off regions made their way to California through road and sea. They were encountered with many challenges and hardships that did not guarantee them any success. Many death rates were encountered as the journey had many hardships and was long. Reports indicated that out of every five miners who came to California chances were that one had died in a period of six months (Raum, 298).
Other issues such as lawlessness and racism emerged. Bandits would ambush and attack the miners on their way back to steal their gold. The high population of Chinese and other foreign laborers led to the ethnic tensions in California. Similarly, others impacts included the fact that almost all the young men in the San Francisco population left their homes to indulge in the mining business as it was promised and they intended to elevate their fortune (Lewis, 11).
The migration process also boosted the population of California to higher levels. For instance in San Francisco the population grew from 1,000 in 1848 to more than 20,000 by 1850. This was a huge increase in the span of two years. Most of the people who migrated to California acquired the name 49ers as it was the time when they arrived in California. Similarly, the population of California grew as at the end of 1848 it had risen to 100,000 (Raum, 319). Competition was stiff as every community within the immigrants wanted to acquire as much gold as they could to boost their fortune and take back more wealth. Tension also increased as political measures were enacted against the miners. The economy was raised due to the migration of many people who had traveled to search for gold. New mining techniques were also acquired as the people who migrated came with their cultures and customs that would help them mine the gold. The Chinese for instance introduced the aspect of melting it down to acquire other forms which were easier to transport and protect against bandits (Clay and Jones, 99). Explosives were also used in order to extract the precious mineral. Other methods involved building super structures, pumps, and shoring up underground excavations just to mention but a few.
California soon became a state as the Americans drove out the Mexicans to occupy the land. The economy also contributed to this aspect as much capital was generated in the region. This was coupled with the influx of population that led to the growth of the state. In 1857 the population of California was estimated to be about 350,000 as more and more people kept streaming in to acquire the precious discovery (Clay and Jones, 102).
In conclusion, the discovery of gold nuggets in San Francisco, California played a huge role in the growth of the state as they promoted economic activities that built the economy. Seemingly, the discovery portrayed the aspect that many people during that time were lurking for opportunities that would boost their fortune. This is due to the fact that many people travelled from far off regions to go and acquire the precious resource that would boost their economic and status. Opportunists we may call them but it was due to their activities that California became well established. The increase in population also contributed to the growth of California. Political aspects changed the perspective as warfare grew simply because of the discovery of gold. John Sutter on the other hand was evacuated from his property as a broke man which shows the negative aspects of such discoveries.
Works Cited
Clay, Karen; Jones, Randall. "Migrating to Riches? Evidence from the California Gold Rush." Journal of Economic History 68.4 (2008). Web.
Clay, Karen; Wright, Gavin. "Order without law? Property rights during the California gold rush." Explorations in Economic History. 42.2 (2005). Web.
Fradin, D B. The California Gold Rush. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2009. Print.
Lewis, Robert. "Photographing the California Gold Rush." History Today52.3 (2002): 11. Web.
Raum, E. The California Gold Rush: An interactive history adventure. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press, 2008. Print.
