The California Gold RushThe California Gold Rush of 1849 is one of the most interesting and exciting events in the United States. From the wild stories of men who did great things, to the heartbreaking stories of people who lost everything, these are what make it so fascinating. There are many aspects to the California Gold Rush; effects on California; individual stories of struggle; and effects on the United States as a young country seeking stability. San Francisco was a small town of a few hundred people in 1840, but by 1850 it was a huge city whose economy was awash in gold money. This rapid growth and development was caused by an accidental discovery by James Marshall. “I reached down and took it; it made my heart skip a beat, because I was sure it was gold. The piece was about half the size and shape of a pea. Then I saw another one." Marshall was working in a sawmill for John Sutter when he made his discovery. Early efforts were made to keep the discovery secret, but they soon failed and paved the way for one of the largest migrations of Americans across the continent. California saw many changes very quickly. Most of these help shape it into what it is today. From Hollywood to San Francisco, today's California lifestyles have their roots in the Gold Rush. Because the failure rate was so high, it became common to come to California to look...