ECONOMIC IMPACT$

AVAILABILITY OF GOODS:

- “Even the Indians, who had hardly known what a decent breech-cloth was, could afford to buy the most gaudy dresses.” ~Theodore H. Hittell, California historian, 1897

-”Large quantities of goods were daily sent forward to the mines, as the Indians, heretofore so poor and degraded, have suddenly become consumers of the luxuries of life.” ~Richard Barnes Mason

- Colossal increase in production of mining tools, transportation vehicles, food and clothing supplies, as well as imports of firearms and advanced technology from the East render great amounts of goods within the grasp of the average consumer, which compensates for inflated prices.

SAN FRANCISCO BOOM:

- Grew from small village into gargantuan city. - 30 new houses, 2 murders each day - In a decade city gained many theaters, opera houses, more newspapers than any city but London. - Wages rise due to competition. Employment available to veterans of Mexican War. “There was employment in abundance and at the highest wages for everyone who was willing to labor.” ~Theodore H. Hittell.

PROCEED.