A Timeline History of the California Gold Rush (Timeline Trackers: Westward Expansion)

"This series pairs dramatic narrative with visually arresting time lines, resulting in a well-thought-out foray into the years of America's westward expansion. Chapters are six to 10 pages in length, and each begins with a chronology that takes up the top half of the spread. The books then go on to explain the events in more detail. The clear writing effectively demonstrates cause and effect. For instance, in Mexican-American War, the Battle of the Alamo is presented clearly as an outcome of long-simmering tensions between U.S. settlers in Mexican-controlled Texas. Throughout the series, red, white, and blue motif is used for time line demarcations and paragraph headings, giving the content a crisp, clean look and serving as a visual alert. Illustrations are serviceable, and all are captioned. Sources are not cited. VERDICT: A good option for collections where supplementary material on the American West is needed."--School Library Journal, Series Made Simple

In 1848, a carpenter named James Marshall discovered that there was gold in the riverbeds of the Sacramento Valley. Gold fever quickly spread across the country and around the world. By the thousands, hopeful people left their homes, families, and jobs in search of their fortune.

The California gold rush lasted for only seven years, but in that time it transformed California and affected the whole nation. People used their new riches to start businesses and build cities. People from many nations arrived to fill those cities. And in their quest for gold, the prospectors clashed with American Indians and set the stage for long-lasting tensions.

Explore the history of the California gold rush. Track the important events and turning points that made this discovery a pivotal part of the westward expansion of the United States.