California Gold Rush Quiz

What was the population of California like before the Gold Rush?

• Sparsely populated

• Densely populated

• Moderately populated

• Highly urbanized

What was the name given to the gold-seekers who arrived in 1849?

• Gold Rushers

• Forty-niners

• Treasure Hunters

• Pioneers

Why were people skeptical about the gold findings initially?

• They thought it was a rumor.

• They believed it was a hoax.

• They were waiting for official confirmation.

• They thought it was too good to be true.

What was the estimated worth of gold extracted in 1849?

• $5 million

• $10 million

• $15 million

• $20 million

What was the main reason people moved to California during the Gold Rush?

• To find gold

• To escape the cold weather

• To start a new life in the city

• To join the military

How did the news of gold reach people across the country?

• By newspaper

• By word of mouth

• By radio broadcasts

• By television news

What was the name of the area where Samuel Brannan opened a general store?

• Sutter’s Fort

• Gold Rush City

• Pioneer Town

• California Junction

What was the peak year of the California Gold Rush?

• 1848

• 1850

• 1849

• 1851

What was the status of California by 1850?

• It became a state

• It was a territory

• It was an independent nation

• It was a colony of Mexico

Who found the first flecks of gold in California?

• John Sutter

• James W. Marshall

• Levi Strauss

• Mark Twain