Process Paper
The California Gold Rush shows how undesirable land on the American west coast became desirable with the discovery of gold. Because my uncle lives in California, I thought it would be interesting to learn about an event that happened in his state. In 1848, a major turning point in history, the California Gold Rush began, when gold was discovered there. This discovery led to thousands of people settling in California and eventually statehood in 1850.
To begin my project, I searched the internet. I learned many interesting facts and discovered that the California Gold Rush is an exciting topic. I went to libraries and found several books. Gold Fever, Cornerstones of Freedom: the California Gold Rush and The American West: The California Gold Rush had the most information. Gold Fever gave me an overall picture of the Gold Rush. Cornerstones of Freedom the California Gold Rush had many facts on the people involved. The American West the California Gold Rush helped me develop my timeline.
When researching my topic, I used note cards to organize the information. I also used “bib” cards to keep track of my sources. After I took notes, I put my information on a Graphic Organizers. I think the California Gold Rush is an interesting topic. The gold seekers called Forty-niners were greedy. They left their families and homes and traveled thousands of miles in hopes of getting rich. But the fact is, most of them didn’t get rich. Those who got rich were the business owners and the residents of California. Business owners were able to charge large amounts for travel, food, shelter, and mining equipment. As the population grew California was able to become a state.
After researching, I selected information for my website. I decided to explain how gold was discovered in California, show the people involved (Forty-niners, Johns Sutter, James Marshall, business owners) and the effects the Gold Rush had on California and America. I used graphs, pictures, a timeline, and descriptions to tell about the California Gold Rush. My website gives the facts and interesting
information to show how one event can have some much impact. I want people to realize that most gold seekers did not get rich but with this discovery California became a state.
In 1848, the United States consisted of 30 states which were located in the eastern and central part of America. The west coast was slowly being explored. Many thought it was a waste land full of grizzly bears. But after the discovery of gold in the American River, California became rich with people. Knowing about the California Gold Rush is important, because it effected the forming of the United States. With the influx of population, California was able to become the 31st state, and the west coast became populated. Most think that the gold made people rich. Because of the arrival of thousands of gold seekers, it was the business owners who sold items to them
that became rich. Through History Day, I not only learned about The California Gold Rush, but also how to research, take notes, organize information, and work with deadlines.
The California Gold Rush shows how undesirable land on the American west coast became desirable with the discovery of gold. Because my uncle lives in California, I thought it would be interesting to learn about an event that happened in his state. In 1848, a major turning point in history, the California Gold Rush began, when gold was discovered there. This discovery led to thousands of people settling in California and eventually statehood in 1850.
To begin my project, I searched the internet. I learned many interesting facts and discovered that the California Gold Rush is an exciting topic. I went to libraries and found several books. Gold Fever, Cornerstones of Freedom: the California Gold Rush and The American West: The California Gold Rush had the most information. Gold Fever gave me an overall picture of the Gold Rush. Cornerstones of Freedom the California Gold Rush had many facts on the people involved. The American West the California Gold Rush helped me develop my timeline.
When researching my topic, I used note cards to organize the information. I also used “bib” cards to keep track of my sources. After I took notes, I put my information on a Graphic Organizers. I think the California Gold Rush is an interesting topic. The gold seekers called Forty-niners were greedy. They left their families and homes and traveled thousands of miles in hopes of getting rich. But the fact is, most of them didn’t get rich. Those who got rich were the business owners and the residents of California. Business owners were able to charge large amounts for travel, food, shelter, and mining equipment. As the population grew California was able to become a state.
After researching, I selected information for my website. I decided to explain how gold was discovered in California, show the people involved (Forty-niners, Johns Sutter, James Marshall, business owners) and the effects the Gold Rush had on California and America. I used graphs, pictures, a timeline, and descriptions to tell about the California Gold Rush. My website gives the facts and interesting
information to show how one event can have some much impact. I want people to realize that most gold seekers did not get rich but with this discovery California became a state.
In 1848, the United States consisted of 30 states which were located in the eastern and central part of America. The west coast was slowly being explored. Many thought it was a waste land full of grizzly bears. But after the discovery of gold in the American River, California became rich with people. Knowing about the California Gold Rush is important, because it effected the forming of the United States. With the influx of population, California was able to become the 31st state, and the west coast became populated. Most think that the gold made people rich. Because of the arrival of thousands of gold seekers, it was the business owners who sold items to them
that became rich. Through History Day, I not only learned about The California Gold Rush, but also how to research, take notes, organize information, and work with deadlines.