Hundreds of years ago, there was a legend about somewhere full of limitless gold. This legend was called El Dorado. Everyone who heard about it became excited and wanted to find El Dorado so they could have a better life.
This time was called the “Gold Rush”.
At the Museum of British Columbia in Victoria, there was a brand new exhibit and an IMAX movie all about the gold rush.
At the museum, Mikhaila and I were able to pan for gold, and I panned a jackpot! When I panned a few small flakes of gold, I was really excited, so I understand how the gold miners felt when they mined a lot of gold.
People looked for gold and travelled all over the world. First to California in 1849, then to Australia in 1852, and then last to what is now British Columbia in 1858.
Obsession with gold and riches was called Gold Fever. A lot of people thought the Gold Fever was great, but unfortunately it also brought diseases and violence. In what is now B.C. a war along the Fraser River broke out because the Natives and the gold miners were not getting along. The miners were digging on the Natives’ land and when the Natives told them to stop, they wouldn’t. The miners also disturbed the river while they were panning and the Natives were afraid that the salmon would be affected and they would lose their main food source. The gold miners stole from and insulted the Natives.
Following the gold rush, most of the miners either left to go find other gold, or stayed and became farmers or fisherman.
As for the Natives, unfortunately they are still involved in land disputes.
We also went on a walking tour about the gold rush and walked around Victoria. The tour guide was dressed up as a gold miner and even had a big backpack full of some things a gold miner might need. We visited different places, such as the port where all of the ships full of gold miners would enter B.C.
Even though the gold rush caused many problems, it was also very helpful for B.C. Many people who came to find gold needed a place to stay, which encouraged the province and the cities to grow. Once Canada became a country in 1867, they persuaded British Columbia to join the country in 1871 by promising to add a railway to their province.
I think the gold rush was good because it helped B.C. become what it is today, but at the same time it was bad for the Natives living there. It also brought out the greedy sides of everyone.
So, what do you think about the gold fever?
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