Gold Rush + Law and Order

• What year did the gold rush begin?

  1849
• Why are the San Francisco 49ers named as they are?

  They are named after the people who arrived during the gold rush of 1849.
• What was the population of California's west coast territory in 1846?

  8,000 people
• How much did California's population grow by 1850?

  It grew to 120,000 people.
• What was the population of California by 1855?

  300,000 people
• What was the primary reason for the influx of people to California during the gold rush?

  People were looking to get rich quick.
• In what year was gold discovered in California?

  1848
• What is "claim jumping" in the context of the gold rush?

  Claim jumping is when someone steals a claim from another miner.
• What does "salting a claim" refer to?

  Salting a claim is when gold flakes are sprinkled on worthless land to deceive prospectors.
• What were common issues in male-dominated mining camps?

  Prostitution and gambling led to drunken fights.
• Why were prospectors usually armed with guns?

  To protect themselves from potential threats.
• What cultural issues arose among prospectors during the gold rush?

  Racial and cultural differences often resulted in fights.
• What was the role of vigilante groups during the gold rush?

  Vigilante groups took the law into their own hands to address crime.
• What could be elected when a territory reached a population of 5,000 people?

  A sheriff for a county.
• How did the population of San Francisco change from 1849 to 1852?

  It grew from 1,000 to 25,000 people.
• What significant event occurred in 1852 related to migration?

  20,000 Chinese migrants arrived fleeing famine.
• What was a major consequence of the explosion in population during the gold rush?

  It led to tensions, including racism.
• What was the role of federal officers like U.S. marshals during the gold rush?

  They were appointed to address crime but faced challenges.
• What was a common issue with law enforcement during the gold rush?

  There was a crime wave and little effective law enforcement.
• How did the people of San Francisco respond to the crime wave?

  They formed vigilance committees to enforce law and order themselves.
• What was the outcome of the vigilance committees capturing 89 people in 1851?

  About 50 were found not guilty, and some were deported or handed over to authorities.
• What challenges did officials face in law enforcement during the gold rush?

  They had to cover large areas and often arrived too late to act.
• How did vigilantes maintain their power?

  By being feared, they hoped to deter crime.
• What were the main problems that arose from the gold rush?

  • New crimes like claim jumping
  • Social unrest due to failed prospectors
  • Unemployment
  • Theft, assault, and murder
  • Disorderly lifestyle with alcohol and prostitution
  • Racial tensions, especially with Chinese migrants
• What factors contributed to the rise of vigilante justice during the gold rush?

  • Mass migration leading to crime
  • Slow response from the U.S. government
  • Poor funding for law enforcement
  • Geography making it hard to respond quickly
  • Corruption among law officials
  • Racist attitudes affecting law enforcement
• How might a student structure a narrative account about the gold rush and law enforcement issues?

  1. Introduce mass migration and its impact on crime.
  2. Discuss corruption and its effects on law enforcement.
  3. Explain the rise of vigilance committees as a response.
  4. Link back to the question and analyze the situation.
• What was the main reason for the establishment of vigilance committees?

  To address the lack of effective law enforcement.
• What was a significant consequence of the gold rush on California's population?

  The population exploded from 8,000 to 300,000 in nine years.
• What did the rapid population growth in California lead to in terms of law enforcement?

  It led to the formation of local law enforcement like vigilance committees.
• How did the geography of California affect law enforcement during the gold rush?

  It made it difficult for law officials to respond quickly to crimes.
• What was the impact of racism during the gold rush?

  It led to tensions and conflicts among different ethnic groups.
• What was the role of the U.S. marshals during the gold rush?

  They were appointed to help maintain law and order but faced many challenges.
• What was a common outcome for those captured by vigilance committees?

  Some were found not guilty, while others were deported or handed over to authorities.
• How did the people of San Francisco view federal authorities during the gold rush?

  They felt that federal authorities were not doing enough to solve the crime wave.
• What was the effect of the gold rush on the economy of California?

  It led to a boom in population and economic activity but also increased crime.