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The Gold Rush and Westward Expansion: 49ers, Mormons, and Transportation Innovations

The California Gold Rush of 1849 attracted approximately 200,000 hopeful prospectors known as "49ers," leading to the rapid creation of Boomtowns. As prices soared and many failed to find gold, ghost towns emerged. Simultaneously, Mormons, seeking religious freedom after the death of Joseph Smith, migrated west to Utah under Brigham Young's leadership. Transportation evolved with covered wagons on the Oregon Trail and the development of canals and railroads, connecting the nation and facilitating westward migration and commerce.

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The Gold Rush and Westward Expansion: 49ers, Mormons, and Transportation Innovations

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Western Settlers! Gold, God, and Glory!

  2. 49ers • Word would spread that someone found gold in an area and so many people would rush to the place that it created “Boomtowns” • With the Mexican Cession the US acquired California • The discovery of gold in the state led to a massive emigration to the west in hopes of striking it rich • This happened in 1849 which led to the name “49ers” • In total 200,000 people flocked to the area • Prices on food and land skyrocketed

  3. 49ers • When others didn’t find gold people would leave the area and these towns would become Ghost towns • By 1855 the Gold Rush was over but many people remained in the area and farmed • Today California has the largest population in the nation

  4. Boomtown Ghost town

  5. Mormons • Joseph Smith of New York was said to have been given a set of gold plates by an angel • These plates told the stories of Jesus in the American continent • Joseph Smith developed a huge following of believers • They practiced a belief in plural marriage or polygamy • They were often persecuted for their beliefs and so they all moved west where they could be free to practice their religion

  6. Mormons • Joseph Smith was killed on the journey • After Smith died, one of his followers, Bingham Young, took over • They settled in what is now Utah – Many Mormons still live there

  7. Transportation Improvements Covered Wagons • In James K Polk’s 4 years as president he expands the country from ocean to ocean • Now our vast country had to be connected • People as well as goods & supplies had to be moved • Many times the people who went west were families • They travelled the 2000 mile long Oregon trail in wooden wagons pulled by oxen • Many died on the journey but those who survived used this way of travel to start a new life in the west

  8. Transportation Improvements Canals Railroads • Canals were man-made rivers that used oxen walking along the shore pulling boats down the water • The most famous Canal was the Erie Canal which connected the great lakes to New York City • They were costly and hard to build • Faster than canals and easier to build • They were more dangerous due to derailments which were common in this time. • Railroads connected north and south, east and west

  9. Canals, trains, covered wagons

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