The Big Idea Activity

Why do people take great risks?

Tell Stories of Experience

Student working on activity

Tell a story about one risk faced by people in early California. Research in your textbook to recall some dangers of life in California in the mid-1800s. You might use the links in the Case Study to add to your research.

California Standard 4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California. California Standard 4.2 Students describe the social, political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods. California Standard 4.3 Students explain the economic, social, and political life in California from the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic through the Mexican-American War, the Gold Rush, and the granting of statehood.

Research RoadmapPrint the Research Roadmap. Use it to take notes and hand it in to your teacher when you make your presentation.

 

Topic Finder

Need help finding a topic? Explore these ideas for research...California Gold Discoveries.

Case Study

Here's an example of a topic you could choose the for Big Idea Activity: Did you know that illness was a danger of life on the California trail and in early California? A common disease called cholera often caused death within hours. Pioneers feared attacks from Native Americans, but attacks were few. Diseases killed many pioneers. Among the diseases was influenza, now usually called the flu. The medicines we use to treat the flu were not yet invented in the 1800s.

Fun FactsSome 49ers on the California Trail paid as much as $100 for a glass of water. They had left home with too little water, and they would have died without the drink.

 
 

How has modern medicine changed life for children? Read about how research is helping children.

Children's Environmental Health

Allergy and Asthma

 
 

Mexican California

Mexican California

Find out about the breakup of the California mission system by reading the third paragraph. What happened to most of the missions' lands?

Rancho Life

On a rancho, boys rode horses to help their fathers. Girls grew herb gardens for seasoning used in cooking food. Learn more about rancho life.

Trappers and Settlers

Trappers who settled in California faced risks and had adventures. Explore a site with photos, drawings, and tales of mountain men.

The Bear Flag Revolt

It is dawn on June 14, 1846. A small group of Americans takes over the home of General Mariano Vallejo. Find out about California's first step toward becoming a state.

Destination California

Gold Is Found!

How did gold-seekers travel to California? They went three ways, two by land and one by sea. Think of yourself as a gold-seeker. Decide how you will travel to California in 1850.

Life During the Gold Rush

How did different peoples get along with each other during the Gold Rush? You may be surprised to learn what this site says about racial conflict during the Gold Rush.

The Thirty-First State

Click on the map to find out more about the different places in which California's capitol was located between 1849 and 1854. Read about the different capitols, too.