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Western Settlers!

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

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Western Settlers!

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  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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