Final answer:
The influx of thousands of miners to Yukon started after gold was discovered there in 1896, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush. This rush was part of the larger mining boom in the West, leading to community development and economic growth, albeit often temporarily.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discovery of Gold in Yukon
The influx of thousands of miners to Yukon began after the discovery of gold in 1896 along the Alaskan-Canadian border. This event was part of a larger pattern of gold rushes that occurred after the initial California Gold Rush, which had begun in 1849. Notable discoveries like the Comstock Lode in Nevada and the Klondike Gold Rush in Yukon spurred continuous movement of miners seeking wealth. The Klondike Gold Rush led to the establishment of communities in remote areas even before infrastructure like railroads could reach them. While few prospectors found riches, businesspeople such as Belinda Mulrooney capitalized on the prospectors' needs, providing supplies and services that contributed to her wealth.
The promise of gold attracted a vast number of miners, creating fleeting booming economies and often leaving behind ghost towns as the resources were depleted. The legacy of these rushes contributed to the expansion and development of infrastructure in the American West and the establishment of law and infrastructure by the U.S. government.However, it is important to note that few of the prospectors who went to the Klondike actually found gold themselves. The real beneficiaries were those who provided support services to the miners. Despite the lack of success for most miners, the Klondike Gold Rush left a lasting impact on the region and contributed to the development of infrastructure and government in the American West and Alaska.