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Title:
| Westward Expansion: California Gold Rush |
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Description:
| Read about the discovery of gold in California and how this lured many gold seekers west. Learn about the routes they traveled, how they mined the gold, and the difficulties of life in a mining camp. Includes first-hand accounts and historic drawings. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on the Oregon Trail. |
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Grade Level:
| 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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Resource Links:
| Discovery Museum
Read short biographies about Californians who lived during the Gold Rush period.
The Discovery of Gold in California
Read about the discovery of gold in John Sutter's own words. He describes how this discovery ruined his business. Use the links at the left to read more first-hand accounts and to see lithographic views.
The Sacramento Bee: Gold Rush
Explore the numerous links at this newspaper site that offers extensive information about the Gold Rush. Learn more about the people involved and view maps of the travels they made by land and by ocean. "Resources" includes a timeline and an online quiz.
Experience Gold Rush
This multimedia site offers audio and graphics about California and the Gold Rush.
PBS: The Gold Rush
Read some fun facts about the Gold Rush, including reasons why people paid $100 for water and the travelers' lack of cleanliness.
The Evolution of Gold Mining
Learn how the methods of mining for gold changed over time. Includes graphics.
The California Gold Country: The Mining Camps
Click on a name to read more about these mining camps.
Marshall Gold Discovery State Park
This PDF has a map showing the site where Marshall discovered gold as well as other sites in the area.
California History Online
Use the links at the left to learn more about the California Gold Rush and the people involved. Find out what it was like to live in a mining camp.
SF Gate: QuickTime VR
This is a panoramic photograph showing the site of John Sutter's mill in Coloma, California, where gold was discovered. Use your mouse to rotate the photograph. Click on the small graphics at the left to view more images, including a map showing the journey from Missouri.
PBS: The American Experience
Read about three choices gold seekers had for traveling west to California.
The Huntington Library
Students can follow the journey of a Chinese boy and an American girl as they travel to California. The students have to help the characters make decisions along the way.
The Huntington Library
Click on "Begin the Adventure" to learn about the California Gold Rush. This library site includes excerpts from primary documents and historic drawings.
Levi Strauss & Company
Read about how the invention of Levi's blue jeans is tied to the California Gold Rush.
Jump off at St. Jo
This is a list of pioneers who left St. Joseph to travel west.
St. Joseph Museum
Read this article to learn about St. Joseph, Missouri, being a popular starting point for gold seekers headed west. Use the "Gold Rush Game" link at the bottom to take a quiz.
eThemes Resource: Westward Expansion: Oregon Trail
These sites have information about the Oregon Trail during the time of westward expansion. Includes timelines, maps, and photographs. There are links to eThemes Resources on covered wagons and other trails.
Enchanted Learning: Gold
Learn about the metal of gold and how its purity is measured.
World Gold Council
Read these answers to common questions to learn about gold, including how far all the gold in the world would stretch if it was put together.
eThemes Resource: Westward Expansion: Trails West
These sites are about the Santa Fe, Overland, California, and the Mormon Pioneer trails. See pictures of the West in the 1800s and study maps of the trails. Read about life along the trails. Includes eThemes resources on the Oregon Trail and covered wagons. Watch a video on Arrow Rock, a stopping point on the way West.
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Education Standards:
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MO Standards:
1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.6, 3.8, 4.1, 3, 4, 6, 1, 8, 2, 4, 5, 7
If you are an eMINTS teacher and standards have not been defined for your
state, click the button below to request that they be assigned to this resource.
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