Culture
California and our Nation had been changed forever by the discovery of gold in foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Huge amounts of gold entered the economy, increasing the overall wealth of our country. California’s population increased from 15,000 to 250,000 in just four short years. California became a free state admitted to the union. San Francisco became a thriving seaport serving as the hub of the Pacific Coast and main connection for gold country to civilization. Other cities were founded throughout California as the gold fever died down in the 1850s and people spread out seeking other opportunities.
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The people who came to California were from many different countries, often leaving bad circumstances from things like hunger, poverty, and wars to take the chance of golden wealth in a new land. There were many different cultures coming together in this melting pot. With different cultures come different languages, religions, values, ethics, morals, appearances, styles, food, and habits. The miners were put together with all these cultural differences between people and sometimes the results were good and sometimes not. There were no laws or anyone to enforce any kind of justice system in the early years of the Gold Rush. Robberies, thievery, swindling, killings, and hangings were common. |
Travel became easier during the 1850s. Ships started bringing people form Europe comfortably to California. The land routes had supply stations and hotels along the way. People were moving to the West in large numbers.
After the initial years of the Gold Rush, migrants came for the general opportunity in California instead of the hope for gold. Agriculture was booming, cities were growing, and there was may opportunities for different businesses. Many came just for the adventure or the chance of a better life.
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