Final answer:
James Marshall discovered gold in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush where thousands sought riches. The subsequent year, 1849, marked the peak of the rush with the arrival of the 'forty-niners.' Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 1849.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Discovery of Gold by James Marshall
James Marshall's famous discovery that catalyzed the California Gold Rush occurred on January 24, 1848. This significant event happened at John Sutter's sawmill on the south fork of California's American River. As the news of gold findings spread, people left their jobs and homes, with a large number heading to the gold fields in search of wealth. Consequently, the following year saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world, earning the name "forty-niners."
The impact on California was immediate and profound, leading to rapid population growth and the acceleration of California's statehood process. Furthermore, the initial gold strikes made by individual prospectors were quickly followed by more industrialized and large-scale mining operations as the easily accessible minerals were exhausted.
Considering the historical timeline and the details provided about the California Gold Rush, the answer to the student's question is that James Marshall made his big find in 1848, thus the correct option is (b) 1849, marking the year before the massive wave of gold seekers rushed to California.