Follows the development of the gold rush in California starting in the 1840's. Examines its effects on the economic, social, and political development of the area from early times through statehood and into the modern day.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1948.

On the morning of January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold in California. The news spread across the continent, launching hundreds of ships and hitching a thousand prairie schooners filled with adventurers in search of heretofore unimagined wealth. Those who joined the procession—soon called 49ers—included the wealthy and the poor from every state and territory, including slaves brought by their owners. In numbers, they represented the greatest mass migration in the history of the Republic. In this first comprehensive history of the Gold Rush, Malcolm J. Rohrbough demonstrates that in its far-reaching repercussions, it was the most significant event in the first half of the nineteenth century. No other series of events between the Louisiana Purchase and the Civil War produced such a vast movement of people; called into question basic values of marriage, family, work, wealth, and leisure; led to so many varied consequences; and left such vivid memories among its participants. Through extensive research in diaries, letters, and other archival sources, Rohrbough uncovers the personal dilemmas and confusion that the Gold Rush brought. His engaging narrative depicts the complexity of human motivation behind the event and reveals the effects of the Gold Rush as it spread outward in ever-widening circles to touch the lives of families and communities everywhere in the United States. For those who joined the 49ers, the decision to go raised questions about marital obligations and family responsibilities. For those men—and women, whose experiences of being left behind have been largely ignored until now—who remained on the farm or in the shop, the absences of tens of thousands of men over a period of years had a profound impact, reshaping a thousand communities across the breadth of the American nation. On the morning of January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold in California. The news spread across the continent, launching hundreds of ships and hitching a thousand prairie schooners filled with adventurers in search of heretofore unimagined wea

Nothing set the world in motion like gold. Between the discovery of California placer gold in 1848 and the rush to Alaska fifty years later, the search for the precious yellow metal accelerated worldwide circulations of people, goods, capital, and technologies. A Global History of Gold Rushes brings together historians of the United States, Africa, Australasia, and the Pacific World to tell the rich story of these nineteenth century gold rushes from a global perspective. Gold was central to the growth of capitalism: it whetted the appetites of empire builders, mobilized the integration of global markets and economies, profoundly affected the environment, and transformed large-scale migration patterns. Together these essays tell the story of fifty years that changed the world.

After reading nonfiction passages about science, geography, or history topics, students answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions to build seven essential comprehension skills.

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, attracting over 300,000 people from all over the world, some who struck it rich and many more who didn't. Hear the stories about the gold-seeking "forty-niners!" With black-and white illustrations and sixteen pages of photos, a nugget from history is brought to life!

Ann Chandonnet brings us a rollicking history of gold rush food complete with hearty recipes ranging from sourdough flapjacks to stewed porcupine. From miners meals and home remedies to holiday fare, beverages, and housekeeping, Gold Rush Grub follows the trail of stampeders from Sutter's Mill in California to Alaska and the Klondike. The first food history of its kind, Gold Rush Grub presents a panoramic view of an exciting period in American history. The grub that stampeders ate was affected by everything from arctic weather to Pacific Coast agriculture and Midwest meat packing. For those who struck it rich, there were oysters, ice cream, and cognac. The less fortunate had to make due with beans and nettle soup. Readers with an adventurous palate can experiment with recipes for scalloped grayling and caribou scrapple. Those who prefer to leave the porcupines and bears in peace will enjoy the engaging prose and historic photographs. Gold Rush Grub will appeal to general readers, cookbook aficionados, and anyone who loves a good meal and a great story. "There's a heavy dose of gold rush history here, which sets it a cut above your normal recipe-oriented cookbook." The Midwest Book Review "[A] fascinating new culinary history of gold miners in California, Alaska and the Klondike." Northwest Palate Chandonnet ably demonstrates how the cuisine high and low of the western gold rushes fits into America's culinary mainstream. A unique look at the last great adventure. Bruce Merrell, Alaska Bibliographer, Anchorage Municipal Libraries