Even before the Gold Rush, many people moved from abroad to find a better life. The result was a rise in San Francisco’s population from 500 in 1848 to over 50,000 in 1853. People came to California to find gold and to make their fortunes. Many people fled their homes to seek gold, even though there was no train. This is how the Gold Rush was often depicted. Americans headed west to find gold and a better lifestyle. The story doesn’t include all the people who also fled to California and those who had already arrived. This includes people who arrived from near the Pacific Ocean, such as Hawaii and Peru.
This combination of many different people led to tensions about race, language, culture, and immigration. The problem was that non-whites and Americans were not allowed to access the land. Mexicans, Chinese and other immigrants made up half of California’s miners. There was great concern that immigrants would overthrow the United States. There was an effort to keep foreign countries out. The American Yawp Chapter 12, Chapter 12 discusses the Monroe Doctrine, which was published in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine declares that the Western Hemisphere is owned by the United States and warns Europe not to get involved. This was because America didn’t want any competition. Primary sources give much more information on the role of the Pacific in Gold Rush.
Edward Kemble is one example. He writes about San Francisco back in 1846-1847. Americans didn’t know there was any gold. Kemble also mentions people who pass through San Francisco that don’t mention it. Kemble depicts one man as crazy and untrustworthy, he shows only the “first few drop” of gold in his greasy bag. It was mentioned that gold had been found, but it wasn’t believed. Kemble describes the arrival in San Francisco of a Russian steamboat, Captain Leidesdorff, in October 1847. This boat carried passengers looking for gold in March 1848. It is fascinating to note that not Americans, but Russians were some of the first to seek gold.
The State of the Union Address, which President James Polk delivered in December 1848, is another primary source. Polk stated that the rumors about gold discoveries in California were true. He discussed how gold was one among the “spoils”, of victory in War against Mexico. He also urged Americans westward. Polk stated that California’s position requires it to command China, the Pacific islands, Mexico and Central America. However, it is not clear why California should hold all these territories. Polk states that the U.S. must tap into the mines of Peru, Central America and Chile. However, this is not something that Britain does. It seems that he wants white Americans to go first to the gold before immigrant. He said, “that we may more quickly and fully avail ourselves the underdeveloped wealth these mines, it’s deemed of immense importance.” President Polk states that Europe will not be able to compete with America with California’s recent acquisition. This shows that the Gold Rush is not only about California, but the entire world.
The treatment of Mexicans in California was another example of the global influence of the California Gold Rush. They had to live a difficult life. To mine, Chinese and Mexicans had to pay a foreign miners tax. The initial amount was $20.00, but this decreased to $4.00 over time. They also used violence to stop them from mining. This was due to their fear of being different (language, culture) and of not receiving their fair share of the gold.
