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The Gold and Silver Boom: Mining, Railroads, and the Rise of Boomtowns in 19th Century America

The mid-19th century in America witnessed a remarkable surge in gold and silver discoveries, from California's Gold Rush in 1849 to the Comstock Lode in 1859 and later finds in the Black Hills and Alaska. This era saw the rapid rise of boomtowns, driven by miners, traders, and entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on newfound wealth. However, it also brought significant challenges, including environmental pollution, the displacement of Native Americans, and discrimination against minority workers. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 linked the nation, facilitating the growth of towns and expediting commerce while transforming America’s landscape.

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The Gold and Silver Boom: Mining, Railroads, and the Rise of Boomtowns in 19th Century America

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  1. Mining and Railroading Gold and Silver Boom, Problems with Mining, the Railroad

  2. A Boom in Gold and Silver • 1849 – Gold discovered in California • 1859 – Gold and silver discovered in the Sierra Nevada's • Comstock Lode – Henry Comstock claimed a mine loaded with silver • Lode – rich vein of gold or silver • 1870 – Gold discovered in the Black Hills in South Dakota • 1890 – Gold discovered in Alaska

  3. Boomtowns to Ghost Towns • Boomtowns – Towns that sprung up due to a discovery of gold or silver • Ex. Virginia City, Nevada • Process • Miners  Traders and Merchants  Hotels and Restaurants • Women – ran boardinghouses, laundries, or restaurants • Ghost Town – After the gold and silver was gone, people left the area

  4. Problems Along the Mining Frontier • Pollution of Streams • Deforestation • Pushing out Native Americans • Ex: Sioux from the Black Hills • Discrimination • Ex: Mexicans and Chinese were taxed or forced to work on others claims • Large companies took over • Lawlessness • Vigilantes ruled

  5. The Railroads • 1863 – race to build the first transcontinental railroad – stretches across continent from coast to coast • Union Pacific – built west • Central Pacific – built east • Federal Government – gave subsidies (financial aid or land grant) to help spur the economy • Combined both railroad companies received 45 acres of land

  6. Working on the Railroad • Labor was scarce during the Civil War • Used immigrants to build the railroad • Central – used Chinese • Union – used Irish • Both sides used Mexicans and African Americans • Central Pacific had to cut a path through the Sierra Nevada Mountains • Union Pacific had to cut through the Rockies

  7. Promontory Point

  8. Railroads Promote Growth • The two railroads met at Promontory Point, UT on May 10, 1869 • Gave the country the hope of feeling united • Enabled people, supplies, and mail to go quickly • Towns and Cities developed at railroad points • Ex: Seattle, San Francisco • New territories applied for statehood • Nevada (1864), Colorado (1876), North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington (1889), Idaho and Wyoming (1890)

  9. Activity • Imagine you are a railroad official in 1869. Write a short speech (2 paragraphs) to celebrate the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. In your speech, explain how you think the railroad will benefit the nation.

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