The California Gold Rush
Explore the historical events, key figures, and impact of the California Gold Rush on American history and development.
Includes
Topics
The California Gold Rush
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. In what year was gold first discovered in California, sparking the Gold Rush?
1839
1848
1855
1860
2. Who was the first person to discover gold at Sutter's Mill?
John Sutter
Levi Strauss
James W. Marshall
Sam Brannan
3. The people who traveled to California in search of gold were known as .
4. The Gold Rush led to a massive increase in California's , making it eligible for statehood.
5. Describe one major impact the California Gold Rush had on the environment.
6. Most 'forty-niners' became wealthy from finding gold.
True
False
7. The Gold Rush primarily attracted people from the eastern United States.
True
False
Match the term on the left with its description on the right.
8. Forty-Niners
a. The method of using a pan to separate gold from dirt
9. Panning
b. People who migrated to California during the Gold Rush
10. Boomtowns
c. Quickly growing towns near gold discovery sites
11. Look at the map below. How might the discovery of gold impact migration routes to California?
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