Final answer:
The majority of the workers hired by John Sutter to construct his sawmill were Native American Indians. Option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the construction of the sawmill, John Sutter primarily employed Native American Indians to work on digging the necessary water ditches to power the mill. Their involvement in this task led to the accidental discovery of gold, which significantly impacted the subsequent events of the California Gold Rush. The initial labor force for Sutter's enterprise was largely composed of Native American Indians, who played a crucial role in the early stages of the gold discovery.
However, as news of the gold spread and the rush intensified, individuals from various backgrounds, including Californios, Chinese immigrants, European settlers, and others, migrated to California in search of fortune during the gold rush of 1849. Despite the diverse influx of people during the peak of the gold fever, the foundational labor force at the onset of the discovery comprised primarily of Native American Indians.
Correct Answer: D. Native American Indians.