California Gold Rush
By Christian, Madison, Levi, Grace,
Siena
Famous People and Their Accomplishments
* Sam Brannan- He spread the word and started the gold rush.
* John Sutter- He owned the land on which the gold was found.
* James Marshall- On January 24, 1848, James found gold in the
American River. He was hired to build a sawmill on the American River,
then he saw a shiny metal, it was gold.
President James Polk- gave the people evedence they needed.
Map of where gold was found
Summary
In the early 1840s California was controlled by Mexico but, in 1848
they unwillingly gave up their claim in California. California still wasn’t a
state so many people came over land and sea for the new land. To still own
part of California, Mexico gave John Sutter a land grant for 48,827 acres
of land to build a farming empire.
January 24, 1848 James Marshall found gold in the American River.
Stutter wanted it to be a secret so he could continue his farming empire.
Unfortunately the word spread by Sam Brannan and the Gold Rush began.
Many people came by land and by sea to find gold. These people were
called 49ers because they arrived in 1849. Out of 100 people about 25%
found gold. By the end of 1849 Stutter’s land was ruined. By one year after
the Gold Rush California became the 31st state in the Union.
Vocabulary
1. economic- justified in terms of profitability.
2. freight- goods transported by boat, train, car, and plane.
3. independence- the fact or state of being independent.
4. overrun-spread over or occupy a place in large numbers.
5. recalled-bring back into ones mind
6. scrawled- write (something) in a hurried careless way.
7. vacant-having no fixtures, furniture, or inhabitants empty.
Fast Facts
1. California did not have the only gold rush in
America. There were actually 9 other gold rushes in
different states.
2. The California gold rush was the largest mass of U.
S. migration in history.
3. The Gold Rush was a male dominant event.
4. Some early parts of San Francisco were built out of
ships abandoned by prospectors.
5. More fortunes were made by merchants than
miners.
More Fast Facts!!!!!!!!
6. John Sutter had more than 12,000 cattle
and sheep.
7. Some people chose to travel by ship to
Califorina.
8. Miners were called 49ers because they
arrived in 1849.
California
Gold
Rush
100
100
100
200
200
200
300
300
300
back
Sam
Brannan!
back
48, 827
acres
back
goods
transported
by boat,
plane, and
train
back
He found it in
the American
River on
January 24,
1848.
back
Mexico
back
They were called 49ers be
cause they arrived in
California in 1849.
back
A merchant made more money.
back
John Sutters wanted the to keep
the gold a secret
so he could to continue his
farming empire.
back
No
Who spread the word
about the gold?
Answer
Answer
How many acres of
land did John Sutter
own?
Answer
What does the
word Freight
mean?
Answer
What date did
James Marshall
find gold and where
did he find it?
Answer
In the 1840s who
controlled California?
Answer
People searching for
gold were called______
because ___________.
Answer
Did John Sutter want to
keep the gold a secret?
Explain why or why not.
Answer
Who made the most
money: a merchant or a
miner?
Answer
Did most people find gold in the
California Gold Rush?
Thanks for
Watching!!