Essay question:
How did the Gold Rush transform the (mostly) young men who came to California to seek their fortune transform them from farmers, or businessmen, factory workers, or "second sons" into "49'ers"? How and why did they change?
Ideas to consider:
o What did the 49ers expect to find in California?
o What was the "reality" in California? What circumstances did they face?
o What was their reaction to the realities they encountered?
o What did their families back home expect from them?
o How did the 49ers respond to these expectations?
o How did the 49ers come to see failure, and how did this change in attitude affect their plans to return home?