Final answer:
The Gold Rush led to a population boom in California, resulting in the marginalization of the Mexican population through racial prejudice, loss of land, and discriminatory legislation. This transformed many landowning Mexicans into laborers and entrenched social and racial disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Gold Rush and the influx of Americans in California after the Mexican-American War had significant impacts on the lives of Mexicans living in the region. As settlers arrived seeking fortune, the sudden population growth and state laws quickly marginalized the Mexican population. They faced racial prejudice, lost lands, and became laborers, often on the very land they had previously owned.
The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill triggered a wave of migration known as the California Gold Rush. White settlers overwhelmed the existing populations, leading to widespread displacement and loss of property for Mexican Americans, and clear racial and social hierarchies emerged. Legal frameworks such as the 'Greaser Act' discriminated against Mexicans, contributing to their societal alienation and economic exploitation.
Consequently, many Mexicans went from being landowners to workers in their former territories. Faced with escalating racial tensions and legal injustices, the Mexican American community's way of life and socio-economic status were profoundly affected, setting patterns of racial and social dynamics that resounded well into the future.