How The Gold Rush Began

11 Pages 2685 Words

ving and working conditions, and coming home boom or bust. The trials and tribulations they faced are many and forever carved into American history. Polk’s simple words, backing up the claim of gold in California, were a powerful call to action. Farmers left their fields, merchants closed their shops, soldiers left their posts, and all made plans for California. The departing gold seekers faced an immediate problem. There was no railroad to take them there, nor was there a river route. The journey proved to be an incredible test of endurance. There were two ways to get to California either by land or by sea. By land they faced a 2,000 mile trip across rugged landscape Almost everyone going to California overland traveled with a group, which were democratic in nature. Contracts were signed that spelled out rules of conduct, especially with respect to participation and sharing of duties. The journey across the plains varied in length and difficulty, and because it was so severe a test it was one the gold seekers would never forget if they survived it. There were tens of thousands of men and women on the trail and all they could think about was gold as they crept along at two miles per hour on the dusty trail. At first it was an adventure, but as they pushed farther westward their enthusiasm turned to fear of the Indians along the trail. The real danger of the overland journey wasn’t the Indians, but the lack of water especially the last 200 miles through the deserts of Nevada. Goods and food were cast aside along the trail to lighten the load. “At the beginning of the final stage on the Humboldt River, many 49ers left their wagons and proceeded on foot, using as pack animals the stock horses they had brought for breeding.” The journey by land was rough but so was the sea voyage. The sea route around the tip of South America often took more than six months and seasickness was rampant in the beginning. The accommodations were seve...