Final answer:
The population of California experienced a significant increase from 1850 to 1880 due to the Gold Rush.
Step-by-step explanation:
The population of California changed dramatically from 1850 to 1880 as a result of the Gold Rush.
In 1850, the population of California was around 92,000. However, with the discovery of gold in 1848 and the subsequent Gold Rush, thousands of people flocked to California in search of fortune. By 1880, the population had skyrocketed to over 864,000.
This massive influx of people, known as the 'Forty-Niners', resulted in California experiencing rapid growth and development. It transformed from a sparsely populated territory to a thriving state with bustling cities and newfound economic prosperity.
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