The California Gold RushThe California Gold Rush of 1849 is one of the most interesting and exciting events in the United States. From crazy stories of men who hit it big to heartbreaking stories of people who lost everything, that's what makes it so alluring. The California Gold Rush had many aspects; effects on California; individual stories of struggle; and the effects on the United States as a young country seeking stability. San Francisco was a small town of a few hundred people in 1840, but by 1850 it was a huge city with an economy injected with gold. This rapid growth and development was brought about by an accidental discovery by James Marshall. “I reached down and picked it up; it made my heart race, because I was sure it was gold. The piece was about half the size and shape of a pea. Then I saw another one. Marshall was working on a sawmill for John Sutter when he made his discovery. Initial efforts were made at first to keep the discovery secret, but they quickly failed and paved the way for one of the largest migrations of Americans across the continent. California has seen many changes very quickly. Most of them help make it what it is today. From Hollywood to San Francisco, today's lifestyles in California have their roots in the Gold Rush. Because the failure rate was so high, it became common to come to California to seek information....