Febuary 2014
These miners have just set up a claim in California’s wide forest.
Written by Michael Nolan.
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Febuary 2014
AMERICAN GOLD RUSH
HAVE YOU EVER JUST WANTED TO STRIKE IT RICH AND NOT HAVE IT TAKEN AWAY?
WELL, THIS HAPPENED, JUST WITHOUT THE PART OF IT NOT BEING TAKEN AWAY..
The finding of the large amounts of gold were the largest hits of the time period.
The Start of the Great American Gold Rush.
The Rush.
But a few days later the gold was
Imagine yourself, sitting in your little
confirmed and the rush was on.
shack in 1848; starving with no running
Traveling across the country.
water and very little money. But then you
Once the news about the rush went
go out and read the local paper, and it says
country and even worldwide, people from
that insane amounts of gold were just
all areas from around the world flocked
found right in your backyard.
into California’s harbors. Most came by
Although you would think that since
water on steamships and other vessels. If
the gold was found in California, that it
the immigrants came from Asia or
would be Californians to be the first ones
Australia they would have much more of a
to find out about it. But they weren't. It was
direct route than by rounding the Cape
actually some people from Oregon. Since
Horn coming from New York or Boston. There were shortcuts through Panama, Nicaragua, and Mexico which would cut down the time in half. At least that was what the miners thought.
there had been some false alarms in the past about gold findings, the citizens of California weren’t as sure about it this time.
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Gold was mainly held in jars or secret compartments that wild animals and people couldn’t get to.
People that would sell tickets to
the start of the day and then in the next few
the miners would say that it would only take
hours you could be dead. This disease
a maximum of 60 days but in reality it
started in 1848 but only lasted until 1854,
would take over 90 days; plus the boat
but still killed thousands of miners and
would have spoiled food and almost
ordinary people.
undrinkable water. The captains would use
More overland.
the temptation to their advantage. It wasn’t
Few miners were lucky enough
also just an easy little boat trip over the
to cross the entire country without being
sea, in certain ways people would have to
attacked by rattle snakes, grizzly bears,
cross over land in Mexico and Panama.
and Indians. Although those who did make
Dreadful days.
it most likely had the horrible memories of
Miners would be dropped off on
the dangerous ferries that sank 25% of the
land and told that if they crossed over to
time.
the other side that they would be picked up. But on most occasions, they weren’t. Most of them would end up stranded in a disease ridden area, such as a tribal village or a coastal harbor. These areas would be a major breeding ground for diseases such as dysentery and typhoid. Dysentery is not as much of a fatal disease as it is painful. It infects your intestines and causes severe diarrhea. Typhoid on the other hand makes your chest burst out with burning red pimples. An insanely painful experience. Although some people didn’t want
“An Ohio diarist described a ferry crossing as “ a little like a battlefield.” The ferries were unstable as
to take the expensive route oversea, they
the were, but those few farmers who would
would go by land. Usually straight across
ride their oxen and their mules would add
the country. Those who lived up north live
even more weight to the boat. There were
in New York and Boston would be very
very few safe places for the immigrants to
unlucky on their travels. First they would
stay once the ventured out on their journey.
have to wait until winter was over so the
One safe place was Fort Laramie a trading
snow would melt, and they wouldn’t be able
post for indians and miners. Some trade
to overcome one of the most dreadful
was fur which they would use for clothing.
epidemics the world would ever see.
There were many challenges to face
Cholera. Cholera would infect your small
crossing the country and oversea. But the
and large intestines making it impossible to
rewards were most likely the greatest
digest any food whatsoever. And worst of
riches America has ever seen. This was the
all is that you could get the symptoms at
Great American Gold Rush!
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Lexicon Word & Page #
Definition
Sentence from book
Arsenals Pg.43 Noun
A collection of military weapons kept by the military.
“Wagon and livestock were guarded by walking arsenals.”
It was dangerous If I had an arsenal that trying to keep your big, I could rule the claim, so some world! miners kept arenals to protect themselves.
Buffalo Pg.48
Noun
A heavily built wild ox that lives in the plains and grasslands.
“Buffalo herds were a common sight on the plains.”
Buffalo were a Hey mom, can we go main food supply to Buffalo Wild Wings for the Indians and for dinner? some immigrants traveling across the plains.
Cape Horn route Pg.32
Noun
One of four oversea shortcuts to California from New York, Boston ect:
“Plenty of ships kept leaving
A shortcut to California from New York, Boston, ect:
An infectious disease and often fatal
“From 1848 to 1854 A dreadful disease Ohh… I don’t feel well, cholera was rampant that could kill you at least it’s not
Cholera Pg.26
Part of Speech (noun, verb, adj)
Michael Nolan
Noun
New York and New England ports for California by looping the Cape Horn.”
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Relevance or importance to topic.
Use the word in a new sentence.1 (your own!)
Wow… this social studies project is so boring, I wish I could study the Cape Horn.
Lexicon
Michael Nolan
bacterial infections in the small intestine.
in various parts of North America.”
from the time you woke up, to the time you went to bed.
Cholera.
Excuse me but I really have to go to the bathroom, I might have dysentery...
Dysentery Pg.26
Noun
Infection of the intestines which would cause severe diarrhea.
“In addition, dysentery and typhoid also took its toll.”
Since dysentery was a “facies” based disease, animals that would for some reason eat it would get this and end up getting sick themselves.
Ferry Pg. 45
Noun
“An Ohio diarist described a ferry crossing as “ a little like a battlefield.”
A large ship or vessel, that transports people and goods.
Ferries would help Oh my god, when is immigrants across the stupid ferry going rivers and lakes. to get here!
Fort Laramie Pg.50
Noun
A fort/ city built in western Wyoming.
“Overlanders usually camped inside Fort Laramie, an important military post.”
This was a main refill station for miners traveling overland.
Who cares about the Alamo, I’m going to Fort Laramie!
Furs Pg.50
Noun/verb
A short/ long hair usually seen on animals.
“It had been used by fur traders until bought by
Furs were what kept most of the poor miners
Haha that horse looks fat with all of that fur.
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Lexicon
Michael Nolan
government officials in 1849.”
warm.
“Streams paved with gold!”
The small yellow mineral that was the cause of the Gold Rush.
Gold Pg.1
Noun, Adjective
A yellow metal that can be used for jewelry and as a currency.
Grizzly bears Pg.42
Noun
A large ferocious “They didn’t animal, native to North anticipate violent America. storms, bruising hailstones, prairie fires, rattlesnakes, grizzly bears, spoiled food, and broken down wagons.
Grizzly bears were Shhh… I’m hunting very highly feared grizzly bears although the hehehehe. sightings were very few.
Harbor Pg.62
Noun/Verb
“Because there were no docks, ships dropped anchor offshore in the wide harbor.
A place on the cost for people to store their vessels.
Harbors were packed with boats leaving and coming.
Oh no… I dropped my tea in the Boston harbor.
“ Although most overlanders came by the midwest, southern routes also drew immigrants.
A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
Immigrants would come from far and wide to settle in California.
Aliens are not the correct term to call an immigrant.
Immigrants Pg. Noun 59
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Oh, if I could get 100 ounces of gold, I would be rich!
Lexicon “Typical immigrants were armed with knives and guns to protect themselves from the so-called “wild Indians.”
Michael Nolan
Indians Pg.42
Noun
Of or relating the indigenous people of early America
Isthmus Pg.26
Noun
“Taylor saw A narrow strip of land The isthmi were unchaperoned women with water on both always very crossing the isthmus sides. crowded because wearing mens of the lack of clothes.” room.
James Marshall Pg.4
Noun
The man to find the first specks of gold in California
“One day in January, Marshall noticed a yellow metal glistening in the water.”
The founder of the It’s Marshall, James first pieces of gold Marshall. that will start a “revolution.”
Mexico route Pg.30
Noun
One of four oversea shortcuts to California from New York, Boston ect:
“Since Panama and Nicaragua had their drawbacks, some gold-seekers crossed Mexico to get to the Pacific.”
A shortcut to It’s so cold up here in California from Maine, lets go to New York, Boston, Mexico. ect:
Mules Pg.40
Noun
The offspring of a horse and a donkey.
“Many city people had never handled mules or oxen,
Mules would carry Hey, is that a donkey food, and other or a mule? Okay I think supplies that other its a mule.
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Indians at this time period were very dangerous, mostly those who would kill the immigrants oxen, mules, ect:
“Indians!” “Native Americans!” “Indians!” “Native Americans!” “Indians!” What’s that cool strip of land called again...oh y an isthmus.
Lexicon
Michael Nolan
couldn’t fix wheels or animals could not. wagons, and didn’t know how to hunt.” Nicaragua route Pg.28
Noun
One of four oversea shortcuts to California from New York, Boston etc:
“Nicaragua, five hundred miles north of Panama, is closer to the United States.”
Oxen Pg.40
Noun
A domesticated “Many city people bovine, kept for its milk had never handled and meat. mules or oxen, couldn’t fix wheels or wagons, and didn’t know how to hunt.”
Oxen were some I just bought an oxen of the main farm… I thought they transportation were cows. animals that would pull the wagons/ carriages across the plains.
Panama route Pg.21
Noun
One of four oversea shortcuts to California from New York, Boston etc:
“The Panama route was unquestionably the shortest and swiftest.”
A shortcut to California from New York, Boston, etc:
Rattlesnakes Pg.42
Noun
A heavy bodied pit viper with the ability to shake its tail like a rattle.
“They didn’t anticipate violent storms, bruising hailstones, prairie fires, rattlesnakes, grizzly bears, spoiled food, and broken
Rattlesnakes killed Rattlesnakes can’t live many in Maine right… unsuspecting right!!!? immigrants that walked along tight roads.
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A shortcut to Wow, I got a check for California from 1000 dollars… lets go New York, Boston, to Nicaragua! etc:
Hey can I see the Old Panama route that those gold miners would take?
Lexicon
Michael Nolan
down wagons. Steamship Pg.44
Noun
A steam propelled ship.
“One steamship that came from Saint. Luis, became a death ship, 75 out of 100 passengers died.”
One of the ways miners would get from one place to another oversea.
I’m so glad that we have these good motor powered boats, instead of the steampowered ones.
Swarms Pg.61
Noun/ Verb
“Swarms of overland travelers headed for the mines.
A large group of insects.
Crops wielded by farmers would be demolished by swarms of locusts.
Ohhh, it’s some really famous person, lets swarm him!
Typhoid Pg.26
Noun
An infectious bacterial disease which caused your chest to burst out with painful red “pimple.”
“In addition, dysentery and typhoid also took its toll.”
Since you would already be out in the burning hot sun, having typhoid would make the journey excruciatingly painful.
Oh no… a pimple on my chest, I must have typhoid. D:
Yellow fever Pg.26
Noun
A tropical infection disease that affects the liver and kidneys.
“Yellow fever, also known as Panama fever, was another famous killer.”
A fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes which endangered gold miners in those
Ouch, I got bitten by a mosquito, I hope I don’t get Yellow fever.
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Lexicon
Michael Nolan tropical  areas.
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Bibliography
Blumberg, Rhoda. The Great American Gold Rush. New York: Bradbury, 1989. Print.
"California Gold Rush." Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.This helped me find the right information.
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