Michael N

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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