Mining and Westward Expansion

The video discusses the impact of Western mining in the mid-1800s, starting with the Gold Rush of 1849, which led to a massive migration from the East Coast to California. This migration was driven by the hope of striking it rich, but most prospectors ended up as wage workers for large corporations. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada further fueled this migration. Over time, mining became industrialized, and the population shift became permanent, with many settlers turning to farming.

What major event in 1849 initiated a large migration to the west?

• The Industrial Revolution

• The California Earthquake

• The Gold Rush

• The Civil War

What was the primary reason people moved west during the Gold Rush?

• To strike it rich

• To escape the Civil War

• To explore new lands

• To find religious freedom

What happened to towns that developed around new mines?

• They turned into farming communities

• They became tourist attractions

• They were abandoned quickly

• They became major cities

What was a common fate for towns after the mines were exhausted?

• They turned into industrial hubs

• They were preserved as historical sites

• They became ghost towns

• They expanded into cities

What was the Comstock Lode known for?

• Starting the Industrial Revolution

• Producing large amounts of silver

• Being the first gold deposit

• Being a major coal mine

What was a common outcome for independent prospectors?

• They all became wealthy

• They started new gold rushes

• They often became wage workers

• They moved back east

What was required to extract deeper gold and silver deposits?

• Government intervention

• More prospectors

• Heavy machinery

• Simple tools

By the late 1880s, who dominated the mining industry?

• Independent miners

• Wealthy investors and corporations

• Small family businesses

• Government agencies

What was a significant result of the mining boom for the population?

• An increase in urbanization

• A decline in population

• A temporary migration

• A permanent population shift

What alternative opportunity did many find in California after mining?

• Fishing

• Tourism

• Farming

• Manufacturing