Question

What event triggered mass migration to California in the mid-1800s? Why was this a problem?

A) The Gold Rush; it led to overcrowding and resource scarcity.
B) The California Trail; it led to a lack of available jobs.
C) The Mexican-American War; it caused political unrest.
D) The construction of the transcontinental railroad; it led to cultural clashes.

Answer 1

The Gold Rush was the event that caused mass migration to California in the mid-1800s, leading to problems such as overcrowding and resource scarcity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The event that triggered mass migration to California in the mid-1800s was A) The Gold Rush. This historical landmark occurred following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, in January 1848. Prospectors, primarily known as "forty-niners," migrated en masse to California in search of fortune. This massive influx of people led to several issues such as overcrowding and resource scarcity, which were significant challenges during this era. The rapid population growth compelled the military authorities to call for an organized territorial government, and soon California considered applying for statehood, altering the political landscape with regard to the extension of slavery and the sectional divide.