Lesson 6 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPThe California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California.
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Then & Now
🕰️ History isn't really 'history' — it shapes today, every day.
The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California. This monumental event led to a massive influx of people, known as 'forty-niners,' who traveled to California in hopes of striking it rich. The Gold Rush not only transformed California's economy but also contributed to the rapid growth of cities and the establishment of new communities, forever changing the landscape of the American West.
Key Facts
The Gold Rush started in 1848 and peaked in 1849.
San Francisco grew from a small town to a bustling city during this time.
The discovery of gold in California changed the population dynamics of the region.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2When did the California Gold Rush begin?
Why this still matters
This shapes your daily life in ways you stopped noticing.
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