Final answer:
The correct answer is option C. Created vigilante groups for self-defense.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1850s, newly arriving settlers in California often organized themselves into communities that featured the trappings of "civilized" life, such as stores, saloons, and libraries. One organizational approach settlers adopted was the creation of vigilante groups for self-defense, especially in the Gold Rush boomtowns where law and order were minimal and such groups formed to establish some semblance of justice. These vigilante groups were a response to the lawlessness that ensued with the rapid population influx and were indicative of the settlers' attempts to bring order to the chaos of the California Gold Rush.
As the territory developed, settlers also formed close-knit and clustered villages and towns, leading to local rule and town-hall meetings. This reflects a shift towards democratic governance structures at the local level, as communities sought to regulate their growing populations and address the diverse needs of their residents.