Lesson 17 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPMining Towns and Boomtowns
Mining towns and boomtowns sprang up across the West during the 19th century as people rushed to find gold and silver.
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Connect the dots between past and present.
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Then & Now
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Mining towns and boomtowns sprang up across the West during the 19th century as people rushed to find gold and silver. These towns grew quickly, often overnight, when a new gold mine was discovered. Many miners moved in, hoping to strike it rich. However, boomtowns could quickly turn into ghost towns when the gold ran out, leading to empty buildings and deserted streets.
Key Facts
Boomtowns grew rapidly when gold or silver was discovered.
Many miners came to these towns seeking wealth.
Some boomtowns became ghost towns after the mines closed.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What caused the rapid growth of mining towns?
Why this still matters
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