Question

Sutter, who came to California in 1839, built a large ranch on the American River about forty miles from San Francisco. Sutter realized that once the news got out his mill would never be finished, his crops would be trampled, and his cattle stampeded. Marshall was asked to keep this discovery a secret.

A) John Sutter
B) James Marshall
C) A secret miner
D) San Francisco settlers

Answer 1

James Marshall's discovery of gold at John Sutter's mill in 1848 marked the start of the California Gold Rush, leading to population growth, transformation of the San Francisco area, and shifts in mining techniques.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option : b

The California Gold Rush was a pivotal moment in history that began when James Marshall discovered gold at John Sutter's mill on the American River in 1848. This discovery led to a massive influx of fortune seekers known as the "forty-niners". The Gold Rush had significant social and economic impacts, leading to the rapid population growth of California and hastening its journey to statehood.

The discovery also created a challenging situation for Sutter, as once the news spread, he feared the destruction of his property and livelihood. Despite attempts to keep the discovery a secret, the rush transformed San Francisco and surrounding areas as people abandoned their jobs to seek gold. The widespread impact of the Gold Rush included town-building, changes in demographics, and the eventual exhaustion of placer gold, causing a shift to more industrial mining methods.