History of the American West Unit 3 (The Mining Frontier)
Name things that have happened to old mining towns in the West.
ghost towns, tourist towns, ski resorts, and important western cities.
Where were many of the techniques used in western mining developed?
in Europe, Asia, and Africa
The discovery and exploitation of the Comstock Lode in Nevada was typical of most mines. What was the usual process?
prospector discovery, initial working, buy out by businessmen, further expansion
How is open pit/strip mining done?
removing all the material above the metals
When you do your genealogy, you discover that one of your ancestors was a Cornish hard-rock miner. Which of these types of ore would your ancestor have probably excavated?
silver
What group of people were consistently the most successful in the gold fields?
store owners
Why aren't there new rushes to rich mining areas?
technology forces companies involved to have capital and the land in the West is already claimed.
Which of these was an impact of the discovery of gold on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains?
the growth of cities along the Front Range
From what you know about the Comstock Lode mines, what would be a possible problem you might look for if your wealthy uncle gave you a deep, hard-rock mine?
the pressure of the earth cracking timbers in the mine
What is the role of the prospector?
He searched for metals in geologic formations
The California Gold Rush happened in what year?
1849
What two areas experienced rushes in 1859?
Comstock Lode in Nevada and the Front Range of the Rockies in Colorado.
Which of these is an old mining town?
Denver
Which class in school would be the least useful to you if you planned to become a miner in the gold fields of the nineteenth century?
English
The wealth from Nevada and Colorado did what in the United States?
Financed industrial growth in the U.S.
Name types of minerals that are still being actively mined in the West.
Gold, silver, zinc, lead, copper, tungsten, tin, uranium, oil, and oil shale.
What were the most common types of mining used in the American West?
Hard rock, soft rock, open pit, and strip mining
How was gold first discovered in California?
Men building a millrace for John Sutter found gold on the stream bed of the Sacramento River.
Your neighbor comes over and tells you that he has found the location of the Lost Dutchman's Mine. He wants you to become a part owner in the mine. He promises that you will get rich, and—because you're his friend—you're in on the ground floor. What do you answer?
No, because even if he has found the Lost Dutchman's Mine the mineral rights will be owned by someone else.
How did the 49ers get to California?
Oregon Trail, sailing around South America or Panama
Which of these was a famous slogan of the 59ers?
Pike's Peak or Bust!
What is a current environmental problem created by old mines?
Pollution of water from chemicals
The money from the California Gold Rush helped create what?
San Francisco
Name three consequences of the California Gold Rush.
San Fransisco, California became a state and fufilled Manifest Destiny, and eastern businesses and industries were built
Which of these is a lesson that could be learned from the gold rush that would apply today?
The legal system is sometimes unprepared to deal with rapid growth.
Which of these is a lasting impact of the California Gold Rush that affects the history of America and the West?
The minerals of the West became a valuable national resource.
Why did western companies choose to use strip mines?
The veins of material were located close to the surface.
Name four problems that the mine owners had to solve on the Comstock Lode.
The water, pressure on the deep tunnels, mud, and heat
What is the primary reason the Spanish first explored the area we now call the American West?
They were looking for more precious metals, like gold.
Rapid growth in California created many problems. Which of these is not a lesson that could be learned from the gold rush that would apply today?
To make money, open a store in a gold rush.
If everything worked right, which route would be the fastest way to get to the California gold fields from the East?
boat to Panama or Nicaragua, across the strip of land, then boat up the Pacific Coast.
Which of these is a danger that exists in old mining areas?
chemicals in the soil
What would be the most feasible solution to the water problems on the Comstock Lode in the nineteenth century?
dig a drain tunnel through the mountain to let the water escape
What is "soft rock" mining?
done for coal and uses the material itself to support the roof
What is "hard rock" mining?
done for gold, silver, and lead and uses wooden beams.
What are some of the current dangers associated with mining in the West?
falling, getting lost, and chemical/biological dangers
