gold rush essay topics

If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser.

Course: US history   >   Unit 6

The gold rush.

• The Homestead Act and the exodusters
• The reservation system
• The Dawes Act
• Chinese immigrants and Mexican Americans in the age of westward expansion
• The Indian Wars and the Battle of the Little Bighorn
• The Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee
• Westward expansion: economic development
• Westward expansion: social and cultural development
• The American West
• The 1848 discovery of gold in California set off a frenzied Gold Rush to the state the next year as hopeful prospectors, called “forty-niners,” poured into the state.
• This massive migration to California transformed the state’s landscape and population.
• The Gold Rush was characterized by violent clashes among settlers, miners, and Native Americans over access to the land and its natural resources.

The California Gold Rush

Life as a forty-niner, violence across the land, what do you think.

• For more on the Gold Rush, see H.W. Brands, The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream (New York: Doubleday, 2002).
• For more on the history of California, see Kevin Starr, California: A History (New York: Random House, 2005).
• See Yong Chen, Chinese San Francisco, 1850-1943: A Trans-Pacific Community (California: Stanford University Press, 2002), and Gordon H. Chang, ed. Chinese American Voices: From the Gold Rush to the Present (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006).
• For more, see Robert F. Helzer, The Destruction of the California Indians (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1974).

Want to join the conversation?

• Upvote Button navigates to signup page
• Downvote Button navigates to signup page
• Flag Button navigates to signup page

• History Classics
• Your Profile
• Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)
• Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)
• This Day In History
• History Podcasts
• History Vault

California Gold Rush

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 10, 2022 | Original: April 6, 2010

The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 and was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century. As news spread of the discovery, thousands of prospective gold miners traveled by sea or over land to San Francisco and the surrounding area; by the end of 1849, the non-native population of the California territory was some 100,000 (compared with the pre-1848 figure of less than 1,000). A total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted from the area during the Gold Rush, which peaked in 1852.

Sutter’s Mill

On January 24, 1848, James Wilson Marshall, a carpenter originally from New Jersey , found flakes of gold in the American River at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Coloma, California .

At the time, Marshall was working to build a water-powered sawmill owned by John Sutter, a German-born Swiss citizen and founder of a colony of Nueva Helvetia (New Switzerland, which would later become the city of Sacramento). As Marshall later recalled of his historic discovery: “It made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold.”

Did you know? Miners extracted more than 750,000 pounds of gold during the California Gold Rush.

Days after Marshall’s discovery at Sutter’s Mill, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the Mexican-American War and leaving California in the hands of the United States—a remarkable twist of fate with important ramifications for an America eager for westward expansion .

At the time, the population of the territory consisted of 6,500 Californios (people of Spanish or Mexican descent); 700 foreigners (primarily Americans); and 150,000 Native Americans (barely half the number that had been there when Spanish settlers arrived in 1769).

Sutter, in fact, had enslaved hundreds of Native Americans and used them as a free source of labor and makeshift militia to defend his territory and expand his empire.

Gold Fever Strikes

Though Marshall and Sutter tried to keep news of the discovery under wraps, word got out, and by mid-March at least one newspaper was reporting that large quantities of gold were being turned up at Sutter’s Mill. Though the initial reaction in San Francisco was disbelief, storekeeper Sam Brannan set off a frenzy when he paraded through town displaying a vial of gold obtained from Sutter’s Creek.

By mid-June, shops and businesses stood empty, as some three-quarters of the male population of San Francisco had abandoned the city for the gold mines, and the number of miners in the area ballooned to some 4,000 by August.

As news reports—many wildly overblown—of the easy fortunes being made in California spread worldwide, some of the first migrants to arrive were those from lands accessible by boat, such as Oregon , the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii ), Mexico , Chile, Peru and China.

Polk Spreads Gold Fever

When the news reached the East Coast, press reports were initially skeptical. Gold fever kicked off nationwide in earnest, however, after December 1848, when President James K. Polk announced the positive results of a report made by Colonel Richard Mason, California’s military governor, in his inaugural address.

As Polk wrote, “The accounts of abundance of gold are of such an extraordinary character as would scarcely command belief were they not corroborated by the authentic reports of officers in the public service.”

The ’49ers Come to California

Throughout 1849, people around the United States (mostly men) with gold fever borrowed money, mortgaged their property or spent their life savings to make the arduous journey to California. In pursuit of the kind of wealth they had never dreamed of, they left their families and hometowns. In turn, women left behind took on new responsibilities such as running farms or businesses and caring for their children alone.

Thousands of would-be gold miners, known as 49ers for the year they arrived, traveled overland across the mountains or by sea, sailing to Panama or even around Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America.

By the end of the year, the non-native population of California was estimated at 100,000, (as compared with 20,000 at the end of 1848 and around 800 in March 1848). To accommodate the needs of the 49ers, gold mining towns had sprung up all over the region, complete with shops, saloons, brothels and other businesses seeking to make their own Gold Rush fortune.

The overcrowded chaos of the mining camps and towns grew ever more lawless, including rampant banditry, gambling, alcoholism, prostitution and violence. San Francisco, for its part, developed a bustling economy and became the central metropolis of the new frontier.

Gold Rush Politics

The Gold Rush undoubtedly sped up California’s admission to the Union as the 31st state. In late 1849, California applied to enter the Union with a constitution that barred the Southern system of racial slavery , provoking a crisis in Congress between proponents of slavery and anti-slavery politicians.

According to the Compromise of 1850 , proposed by Kentucky’s Senator Henry Clay , California was allowed to enter as a free state, while the territories of Utah and New Mexico were left to decide the legal status of slavery for themselves.

California's Mines 

After 1850, the surface gold in California largely disappeared, even as miners continued to arrive. Mining had always been difficult and dangerous labor, and striking it rich required good luck as much as skill and hard work. Moreover, the average daily take for an independent miner working with his pick and shovel had by then sharply decreased from what it had been in 1848.

As gold became more and more difficult to reach, the growing industrialization of mining drove more and more miners from independence into wage labor. The new technique of hydraulic mining, developed in 1853, brought enormous profits but destroyed much of the region’s landscape.

Though gold mining continued throughout the 1850s, it had reached its peak by 1852, when some $81 million was pulled from the ground. After that year, the total take declined gradually, leveling off to around $45 million per year by 1857. Settlement in California continued, however, and by the end of the decade the state’s population was 380,000.

Impact of the Gold Rush

New mining methods and the population boom in the wake of the California Gold Rush permanently altered the landscape of California. The technique of hydraulic mining brought enormous profits but destroyed much of the region’s landscape.

Dams designed to supply water to mine sites in summer altered the course of rivers away from farmland, while sediment from mines clogged others. The logging industry in the area was born from the need to construct extensive canals and feed boilers at mines, further consuming natural resources.

In 1884, hydraulic mining was outlawed by court order, and soon agriculture became the dominant industry in California, and it remains so today. While a few mines and Gold Rush towns remain, much of the heritage of that era is preserved at places such as Bodie State Historic Park , a decaying ghost town, and at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park , where Sutter’s Mill once stood. 

Environmental Impact of the Gold Rush. Calisphere.org . After the Gold Rush. National Geographic.

HISTORY Vault

Stream thousands of hours of acclaimed series, probing documentaries and captivating specials commercial-free in HISTORY Vault

Sign up for Inside History

Get HISTORY’s most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details : Privacy Notice | Terms of Use | Contact Us

The California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush was the mass migration of Americans and others to California in search of gold, which was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. It led to California's statehood and is one of the most important events tied to America’s Manifest Destiny and how it shaped the United States.

President James K. Polk announced the discovery of gold in California in December 1848. Image Source:  National Portrait Gallery .

What was the California Gold Rush? A Summary of the Event that Transformed the Nation

The California Gold Rush, a pivotal event in American history, started on January 24, 1848, when James W. Marshall stumbled upon gold nuggets while working at Sutter’s Mill in the Sacramento Valley.

At the time the Marshall found the gold, the population of California was about 1,000 people — not including the Native American Indians. By the end of 1849, California’s population skyrocketed to an estimated 100,000 people. By 1854, roughly 300,000 people had moved to California, helping fulfill Manifest Destiny through Westward Expansion .

The discovery came just 10 days after the United States officially acquired California in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , which formally ended the Mexican-American War .

News of the discovery spread quickly, triggering a massive influx of prospectors in the summer of 1848. The first gold-seekers came from various places, including Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and China. From there, the news spread eastward, across the Great Plains, the Midwest, the Southeast, and the East Coast.

In December 1848, President James K. Polk officially announced gold had been discovered in California — “The Golden State.”

Soon after, Americans living on the East Coast started moving West in search of their fortunes. They loaded their wagons and crossed the Oregon Trail , California Trail , and others as they made their way to California. These people became known as “The 49ers.”

Entrepreneur Sam Brannan further fueled excitement by parading through San Francisco with a vial of gold, sparking a rush of people seeking fortune. The 49ers borrowed money, mortgaged homes, and risked their savings for the chance at prosperity.

California’s population surge led to the establishment of numerous towns in the Sierra Nevada Region, with San Francisco evolving into a bustling frontier metropolis. However, the overcrowded and lawless mining camps led to a rise in crime, gambling, alcoholism, and violence.

Mining for gold was hard work, but the promise of wealth drove the 49ers. However, as the surface gold diminished, many people were forced to go to work for mining companies that were drilling to find deeper deposits of the precious metal.

The California Gold Rush affected both society and the environment, displacing Indian Tribes and causing flooding.

Although gold mining continued throughout the 1850s, the peak years were in the early 1850s, with millions of dollars worth of gold being extracted annually. The economic boom helped bring California into the Union as the 31st state, following the Compromise of 1850 .

The California Gold Rush changed nearly everything about the region, including the landscape, economy, and people. It transformed California’s landscape and gave rise to an agricultural economy populated by a diverse, multi-ethnic society.

Today, sites like Bodie State Historic Park and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park remain as monuments to the California Gold Rush and the ‘49ers.

California Gold Rush Facts

1. The California Gold Rush started on January 24, 1848, when gold nuggets were discovered at Sutter’s Mill in the Sacramento Valley.

2. The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill unleashed the largest migration in United States history, drawing people from various countries to California to seek their fortunes.

3. The California Gold Rush led to a significant population boom in California, with the non-native population reaching nearly 100,000 by the end of 1849, compared to just 1,000 before the discovery.

4. News of the gold discovery spread worldwide, attracting people from places accessible by boat, such as Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and China, even before the news reached the East Coast of the United States.

5. The prospect of wealth forever altered the life expectations of those who rushed to California, with many individuals borrowing money, mortgaging their homes, or spending their life savings to join the gold rush.

6. San Francisco experienced rapid growth during the Gold Rush and became an important port city.

7. Gold mining was time-consuming and dangerous work, and as the surface gold diminished, miners joined larger mining companies that utilized advanced techniques, such as hydraulic mining, to extract deeper gold deposits.

8. The California Gold Rush had significant social and environmental impacts, leading to the displacement and devastation of Indian Tribes and causing extensive environmental damage due to large-scale mining operations.

9. California’s admission to the Union as the 31st state was expedited by the Gold Rush, following the Compromise of 1850, which allowed California to enter as a free state.

10. The people who moved to California in 1849 are known as “49ers.” By the end of 1849, there were roughly 50,000 49ers in California.

11. The name “Death Valley” was given to the barren region southeast of San Francisco by a group of 49ers who were lost in the valley when they tried to take a shortcut through the mountains in 1849.

California Gold Rush — History, Impact, and Legacy

John sutter, his mill, and the epicenter of the gold rush.

John Sutter, a Swiss immigrant, moved to California in 1839. A the time, it was known as “Alta California” and was a province of Mexico. Sutter was given permission by Mexican authorities to establish a colony in the Sacramento Valley, along with nearly 50,000 acres of land. Soon after, Sutter started building Fort Sutter at “New Helvetia.”

In the latter part of 1844, California revolted against Mexico and Sutter helped raise men to defend the Mexican government. Around the time the Mexican-American War started , hostilities in California led to the Bear Flag Revolt. Americans took control of portions of Alta California, which was followed by a takeover by the U.S. Army, led by John C. Fremont , and the U.S. Navy, led by Commodore Robert F. Stockton. On July 11, 1846, the American Flag was raised over Sutter’s Fort.

By 1847, Sutter was expecting an influx of settlers in the region and decided to build a mill and go into the lumber business. He intended to sell timber to settlers and businessmen for homes and buildings. In order to start his lumber business, he brought in James W. Mashall as a partner in the venture.

James Marshall Discovers Gold at Sutter’s Mill

Marshall had been part of Stephen Watts Kearny’s Mormon Battalion and hired a group of Mormons to help him build the mill. Originally from New Jersey, Marshall was a carpenter by trade. 

Sutter’s Mill was built during the winter of 1847–1848 at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near present-day Coloma, California.

The initial discovery of gold that sparked the California Gold Rush took place on January 24, 1848, when Marshall saw flakes of gold in a pool of water and then found small gold nuggets. It set off a series of events leading to the massive migration of prospectors to California in search of riches.

Recalling his discovery, Marshall said, “It made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold.”

Sam Brannan Fuels the California Gold Rush

News of the gold discovery spread rapidly through California and beyond. Initially met with disbelief in San Francisco, the discovery was confirmed when entrepreneur Sam Brannan paraded through town displaying a vial of gold obtained from Sutter’s Creek. 

This caused a frenzy, and by mid-June, most of the male population of San Francisco had left for the gold mines. The news also reached places accessible by ship, leading to thousands of immigrants from countries like the Sandwich Islands, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and China flocking to California during the summer and fall of 1848.

The California Gold Rush and Manifest Destiny

The California Gold Rush was one of the most significant events associated with Manifest Destiny — the westward expansion of the United States. 

President James K. Polk, who firmly believed it was the nation’s right to spread from sea to sea, publicly announced on December 5, 1948, that gold had been found in California. Polk waited to make his announcement until the discovery was verified by Colonel Richard Mason, the Military Governor of California. Polk delivered the announcement as part of his State of the Union Address.

It triggered the largest migration in U.S. history, with hundreds of thousands of people traveling to California seeking wealth and opportunity. Tens of thousands of people headed to California, traveling in Wagon Trains across the Overland Trails.

Economically, the California Gold Rush fueled the U.S. economy with millions of dollars worth of gold extracted from the region. It also spurred the idea of a cross-country railroad line, which would eventually link the East Coast and the West Coast.

Impact on Native American Indians

The large influx of prospectors and settlers during the California Gold Rush had a devastating impact on the Native American Tribes living in the region and across the Great Plains

The influx of prospectors and settlers disrupted their way of life and brought disease, which led leading to a dramatic decline in the population of tribes from the Great Plains to the West Coast.

In California, the effect was devastating. The Indian population had already been reduced by half since the arrival of the Spanish in 1769 and declined further because of disease, starvation, and violence. 

Some Indians were also forced to work for prospectors and mining companies, further distancing them from their way of life.

It is estimated the California Gold Rush led to the deaths of as many as 120,000 Indians.

Mining Towns Created by the Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush contributed to the rapid growth and development of San Francisco and other towns in California, often referred to as “Mining Towns.”

San Francisco experienced a population explosion. Although it is estimated that three-quarters of its male population left for the gold mines, thousands of immigrants arrived in the area seeking their fortune. This influx of people created a thriving economy in San Francisco and turned it into a bustling city on the frontier. 

Throughout California, gold mining towns sprouted up with shops, saloons, brothels, and other businesses seeking to cater to the needs of the gold seekers. Some of the towns were Bodie, Placerville, and Darwin.

California and the Compromise of 1850

The California Gold Rush influenced the political landscape of California and its admission as a state to the Union.

The massive population growth led to California applying for statehood in late 1849. However, the issue of slavery caused a crisis in Congress, with debates between proponents of slavery and anti-slavery politicians. 

California’s application for statehood was part of the larger Compromise of 1850 , which was proposed by Henry Clay, the illustrious politician from Kentucky. Clay was a veteran of crafting compromises that supported the growth and development of the nation, including the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise Tariff of 1833 .

The Compromise of 1850 allowed California to enter the Union as a Free State. However, other territories were allowed to follow the concept of “Popular Sovereignty” and decide the legal status of slavery for themselves.

Mining Techniques and Advancements

The California Gold Rush led to significant changes in mining techniques over time.

In the early days of the Gold Rush, “placer mining” was the primary technique used by prospectors. They panned for gold using simple tools like a pick, shovel, pan, and water to separate the alluvial deposits from the gold. 

As surface gold became scarce, miners turned to more advanced methods like sluice boxes, which used water to wash away lighter material, leaving the heavier gold particles behind. 

By 1853, hydraulic mining became the main method of mining, involving the use of high-pressure water streams to wash away hillsides and access deeper gold deposits. Hydraulic mining caused severe environmental damage, leading to soil erosion and flooding.

Environmental Impact

The California Gold Rush has significant environmental consequences, particularly with regard to hydraulic mining and its impact on the landscape.

Hydraulic mining required the use of high-pressure water streams to wash away hillsides and access gold deposits, leading to severe soil erosion and flooding. 

The landscape was devastated, and rivers were choked with sediment that affected farmland and natural habitats. 

In response to these environmental impacts, hydraulic mining was outlawed by court order in 1884, and agriculture became the dominant industry in California.

California Gold Rush Significance

The California Gold Rush is important to United States history because of the role it played in the westward expansion of the nation, growth of the economy, and establishment of California as a state. However, it also had long-lasting effects on the environment and devastating effects on the Native American Indian Tribes in the Trans-Mississippi Region and the West.

Common Questions About the California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush, in simple terms, was a significant event that occurred in the mid-19th century when large amounts of gold were discovered in California, leading to a massive influx of people seeking to find gold and wealth. The discovery at Sutter’s Mill in 1848 triggered a rush of prospectors from various countries, creating a diverse society in the goldfields and shaping California’s history and economy.

The California Gold Rush started when James W. Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill on January 24, 1848. While working on a water-powered sawmill for John Sutter, Marshall found gold nuggets in a pool of water, leading to the news of the gold discovery spreading rapidly. This event unleashed the largest migration in U.S. history, with people from various countries seeking wealth in California.

The California Gold Rush did not have a specific end date. It started in 1848 with the discovery of gold and peaked in 1852. However, gold mining continued throughout the 1850s, and by 1857, the annual gold take leveled off to around $45 million. While surface gold had largely disappeared, industrialized mining techniques persisted until 1884, when hydraulic mining was outlawed due to its environmental impact.

The California Gold Rush had a wide-ranging impact on various aspects. It led to the largest migration in U.S. history, dramatically increasing California’s population. The influx of prospectors disrupted the lives of Native American Tribes, leading to a significant decline in their population. Economically, the Gold Rush fueled the U.S. economy with billions of dollars worth of gold extracted. It also influenced California’s development, shaping towns and cities like San Francisco.

The California Gold Rush is connected to the Civil War through the Compromise of 1850. It was a series of legislative measures that aimed to address the balance between Slave States and Free States following the Mexican-American War . As a part of this compromise, California was admitted as a Free State, while the status of slavery in other territories was decided through Popular Sovereignty.

California Gold Rush APUSH Notes and Study Guide

Use the following links and videos to study Manifest Destiny, the Overland Trails, and the Mexican-American War for the AP US History Exam. Also, be sure to look at our Guide to the AP US History Exam .

California Gold Rush Definition APUSH

The California Gold Rush was a period of rapid economic growth and expansion in California that started in 1848 with the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The gold rush, which attracted thousands of people from around the world, had a significant impact on the state’s economy and led to the rapid growth of California’s population. The people involved in the gold rush are known as the ‘49ers. The California Gold Rush is an important moment in the history of the United States and is remembered as a symbol of Manifest Destiny.

California Gold Rush Video for APUSH Notes

This video from Heimler’s History discusses Manifest Destiny, including the California Gold Rush.

• Written by Randal Rust

The California Gold Rush’ History Essay

The gold rush changed the history of California. The primary purpose of the paper is to discuss the peculiarities of the gold rush and the impact it had on people’s life.

On January 24, 1848, James Marshall, built a sawmill for John Sutter on the American River in California (Friedman 34). He found the gold nugget. He told about his discovery Sutter, who tested samples and confirmed that it is almost pure gold.

John Sutter wanted to keep everything in secret; he realized that the discovery of gold would cause a stir and prevent him on his way towards developing of the agricultural settlement New Helvetia. He allowed his employees to take gold, but he asked not to inform the world regarding the discovery of precious metal. Very soon the news spread, due to a businessman and journalist Samuel Brennan.

On August 19, 1848, the newspaper The New York Herald published the first report on the discovered gold in California and the gold rush transformed to the global stage (Friedman 61). Thousands of immigrants from around the world traveled to California in search of gold. The period from 1848 till 1855 is considered to be the most famous gold rush (Maxwell-Long 81).

The majority of the residents of San Francisco gave up their jobs and moved to the American River. Thousands of people aimed to get to California; however, it was not so easy those times. There were two ways to get to California, namely by sea or be land. Those treasure seekers, who decided to come to California by sea, were called the Argonauts. They had to either go around South America (journey lasted from five to eight months) or get to the Isthmus of Panama, cross it and wait for the ship to go to the North. By land people travelled through the California trail, from Oregon or Mexico, however, it is worth noting that these roads were difficult and dangerous.

Among those who arrived in California at the end of 1848 or at the beginning of 1849, there were a couple of thousand of Americans, who came from the Northwest of the United States, many Latin Americans (including people from Mexico, Peru, and Chile), residents of Hawaii and China (Maxwell-Long 73). People from all over the world traveled to California. It is believed that by the end of 1849 in California came about ninety thousand of people, and by 1855 more than three hundred thousand.

Not so many people became rich due to the gold rush. Simple and relatively easy production of gold was possible only in the beginning of the gold rush when the precious metal could be collected with ease. Because of this fact, the revenues dropped significantly despite the discovery of additional gold fields.

Gradually, technologies of production became more sophisticated; the expensive equipment was an essential factor. By about mid-fifties of the XIX century, the prospectors who used primitive equipment realized that it is impossible to obtain the goal using old techniques. It stimulated the development of technologies that improved and advanced the production of gold. Later such technologies were used in gold rushes in Colorado, Montana, and Alaska (Maxwell-Long 101).

It is believed that many more people in California made impressive amounts of money during the gold rush, engaged in trade rather than just gold mining. Clothes, equipment, and houses were very expensive. Merchants who sold clothes were popular.

It is commonly believed that the gold rush stimulated the invention of jeans. Jeans are the part of clothes that is the most popular nowadays. It is difficult to imagine life without jeans now, and not so many people know that jeans were invented due to the gold rush. In March 1853, Levi Strauss came to California (Lusted 82). He successfully sold clothes in New York, however, was sure that California would offer new opportunities for his business.

In 1848, son of John Sutter founded Sacramento on the territory where the first Californian gold was found. Within a few years the new city became one of the economic and transportation centers in California, and in 1854, the city became the capital of the state.

Free from immigrants who aimed to become rich and were obsessed with the gold rush, the city developed rapidly. New roads, houses, churches, hotels, and shops were built with impressive speed. In the rapidly growing California legislature was convened and adopted a constitution, and on September 9, 1850, California became the thirty-first state of the USA (Lusted 25). There are still people in California who aim to find gold. However, nowadays it is related to the entertainment and hobbies.

During the period of the gold rush, more than one hundred and twenty-five million ounces of gold (nearly four thousand tons) valued at more than 50 billion of dollars was produced in California. The biggest gold nugget found in California had a weight 195 pounds (Lusted 43).

In conclusion, it should be pointed out that it was a gold rush that has transformed California from a distant and little-known region in one of the richest states in the United States, laying the foundation for its future prosperity.

Works Cited

Friedman, Mel. The California Gold Rush . New York: Children’s, 2010. Print.

Lusted, Marcia. The California Gold Rush: A History Perspectives Book . Ann Arbor: Perspectives Library, 2015. Print.

Maxwell-Long, Thomas. Daily Life during the California Gold Rush . Santa Barbara: ABC CLIO, 2014. Print.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, September 25). The California Gold Rush' History. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-california-gold-rush-history/

"The California Gold Rush' History." IvyPanda , 25 Sept. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-california-gold-rush-history/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'The California Gold Rush' History'. 25 September.

IvyPanda . 2020. "The California Gold Rush' History." September 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-california-gold-rush-history/.

1. IvyPanda . "The California Gold Rush' History." September 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-california-gold-rush-history/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The California Gold Rush' History." September 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-california-gold-rush-history/.

• The Gold Rush: History of the United States
• Ice Machines, Their History, and Types: Popular Electric Gadgets
• The Gold Rush: Process and Results
• Roosevelt's Camapign for Japanese Americans
• Harada House in Japanese American History
• Irish Immigrants in America and Their Life in 1800
• The American Declaration of Independence
• North American Labor Movement in the 1880s

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples
• Californian Gold Rush

Essays on Californian Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in January 1848 ignited a rush of fortune seekers to California that reached its peak in 1852. By the time it ended, about 300,000 hopeful prospectors had flooded the state. Thousands of men and women from the United States, Europe, and...

Found a perfect essay sample but want a unique one?

Request writing help from expert writer in you feed!

During the California gold rush in 1849, the Grace Cathedral, a historic Episcopal cathedral in San Francisco, was constructed. The cathedral's doors that mimic the Gates of Paradise and its medieval architectural design are well known. A renowned sculptor by the name of Lorenzo Ghiberti spent twenty-seven years (1425–1452) creating...

Related topic to Californian Gold Rush

You might also like.

Essays on California Gold Rush

California gold rush by colby granberg.

The great California gold rush was the largest internal migration in American history, it brought about 300,000 people to California to dig one of the most prized possessions back then, gold. The California gold rush gave California there nick name as the “Golden State”. Many of the once inhabited gold rush towns soon turned into […]

The California Gold Rush, and The Westward Expansion

Have you ever heard of the California Gold Rush, and the Westward Expansion? Well in this story you will learn about it. Also, in this story you will learn about what tools that were used in the Gold Rush. Last but not least you will learn about why men left their families to go to […]

Our editors will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

About The California Gold Rush

This essay is going to be about the California Gold Rush and it will involve Immigration, Facts About California, James W. Marshall, Pros & Cons About Gold, and Finally a Conclusion. I feel like this essay will inspire you to do some research on the Westward Expansion, or help you with your research on Westward […]

Propaganda and Advertising During The Time of The California Gold Rush

What did you see? Did you envision a happy era full of immigrants and Americans happily co-existing and starting a “new life?” People getting rich and living their “american dream?” Not everyone was happy with what was going on during this time period. The California Gold rush was the center of attention during the 1800’s […]

What It Is Like During The California Gold Rush

Claire Vaye Watkins provide readers with a view of what it is like during the California gold rush through her short story called, The Diggings. The Diggings tells the story of two brothers who travel to the California desert in search of gold. The elder brother Errol fosters an obsession to the point of mania […]

Negative Effects of The Gold Rush in California

The Gold Rush occurred between 1849 and 1874 in California, where over a billion dollars of gold was unearthed from the ground. There was an influx of people who hoped to benefit from this fortune which affected the economic, social and political development in California. James Marshall first discovered gold in Coloma, and initially it […]

The Imposition of Us Power and Culture

According to Isenberg’s collection of primary sources from the gold rush era (The California Gold Rush 2018), the imposition of US power and culture on a newly conquered territory in California partially influenced Californian society, prominently shown through Californians’ efforts to prohibit slaves. However, Californian society was unique compared to the other states. In Californian […]

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on United States

Free Argumentative Essay About Lasting Impact Of The Gold Rush

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: United States , Economy , Politics , China , Government , Economics , Gold , California

Words: 1400

Published: 03/10/2020

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

Introduction

The influx of over 300,000 people into California opened many opportunities in especially the economic sector. The initial news about the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in San Francisco appeared in a daily newspaper in March of 1848. the news did not receive much attention at first. However, gradually, the excitement grew among the locals after the newspaper published a picture of a merchant rejoicing at striking gold. As the news of the discovery spread fast across the country, it brought in people by sea and land from both natives and foreigners from Latin America, Europe and as far as China filling the small town of Francisco leading to its rapid growth. The rush included people from every profession who abandoned their jobs (regardless of the professionalism and level of the profession)to seek the gold. Although the extremely congested conditions lead to the degradation of the environment and displacement of the native Americans from their lands, the benefits of the Gold Rush in California outweigh the negative effects. My argument seeks to reveal the benefits of the decade long event in California. Before the Congress designated California as a United States state territory in 1948, it was a Mexican possession (as late as January 1848). Although the Congress had in their possession the recommendation to posses, California, it was not until they discovered gold and the economy began to rise rapidly that the Government hurried the process of accommodating California as part of the United States. Although it took two more years to officially recognize California as a free state, the economic value of the area and especially San Francisco boosted the national economy. Not only did the economy of the state flourish but also the economy of the entire nation blossomed effectively after 1885 when the Gold rush subsided. The rapid changes to the country in such a short time has forever impacted the state with benefits that the current dwellers would never have experienced had the gold rush never began in1848. The wealth acquired in California spread quickly around the globe to as far as China. To overcome the threat of the bandits who targeted foreigners carrying gold to leave the country, for instance, the Chinese men disguised their gold by melting and creating common household equipment (and covered them in soot). Once they prevailed and managed to smuggle their hard-earned gold to China, they re-melted the items and recovered their gold. These Chinese gold-seekers are some of the people who never intended to settle in California. Their trade in gold in their native country founded the beginning of foreign exchange at a low level that benefited the government in massive ways.

New businesses,

New businesses were a natural result of the crowding people flocking California. As the people focused on improving their techniques and advance their equipment to effectively mine enough gold and make as much money as possible, they needed to feed and dress and meet other basic and secondary needs. To address these needs, businessmen exploited the opportunity and created various business in the area. With a rapidly rising economy in California, business bloomed. The businessmen sustained their businesses to satisfy growing demands that changed rapidly. Apart from gold-business, other commercial businesses thrived both in the era and after the era of the Gold rush. Also known as 'forty-niners' (the name was coined from the year 1849), the foreigners needed to survive after the Rush subsided in 1855. In order to obtain alternative sources of livelihood, these settlers resorted to creative businesses to make profits enough to survive in the highly competitive area.

Built new schools,

The need for schools to accommodate the bloated population was necessary in securing the future of California after the Gold Rush. Young children needed to get the education necessary to keep them from depending on mining as a source of livelihood and as the only hope for a lifetime. Although only 10% of entrants initially chose to settle, the rest intended to leave California the moment they earned their quick money from gold. However, the disappointment that followed and the government initiative to improve the infrastructure of the state made them change their minds to settling in the area.

San Francisco undoubtedly owes its growth to the Gold Rush of the 19th Century. Without the Gold Rush, San Francisco would not be as populated and as famous as it is today. Churches, schools, roads and a railway road contributed to the rapid growth of this city. By the end of the Gold Rush, very many people lived in San Francisco who needed recreational, educational and banking services among others. In seeking to address these requirements as well as providing security and other basic needs to the public, the authorities of California focused their efforts to organize an orderly expansion of the City. The city transformed into cosmopolitan area with booming businesses and reliable economy. The massive contribution to the overall income of the nation and the congestion led to the residents of California to demand of the government; a better transportation system and connections with the rest of the United States. Amid conflicts between the Southern residents and their northern counterparts, the Sacramento valley railroad pioneered the development of an efficient communication network with the rest of the states in America. The current transportation system that the Californians enjoy today is the results of the efforts of early decisions made in the wake of the Gold Rush. The residents did not wait for the governmental process (of authorization of project proposals) that required detailed research, investigation and studies to verify the authenticity of the reports, as well as the economic value and costs. Since they could not wait for government intervention to initiate the construction of a reliable and efficient transport system, they began constructing the famous Sacramento valley rail road.

The strong denim material was the most appropriate material to use in the vigorous and aggressive activities of especially; early mining techniques. Today, denim is a popular trend in fashions across the world. However, low-skilled laborers who competed with the advanced mining technological inventions popularized the jeans pants in 19th Century. The pants have maintained popularity over the years to the 21st Century. Today, fashioners consider it the most acceptable and decent casual wear for especially men and young girls. The fruits of the declaration to accommodate California officially as an addition to the American territory in 1850 propelled the U.S economy to great heights. By collecting high monthly tax on foreigners living California, the government benefited from the revenue but not for long. Chinese businessmen, who specialized in exporting their goods to their motherland, were compelled to change their minds and settle in California as well as find other business ideas. The tough levies and government act specified to limit Chinese travelers to the United States of America rapidly halted the flourishing Chinese business to an eventual end in 1882. The Act (federal Chinese exclusion act) prohibited them from attaining citizenship to frustrate their efforts and control of the gold market.

The evidence of over the century-old-event is still visible today and affects the people of California and particularly, San Francisco today. The Gold Rush gave rise to trends still appreciated to date and lasting impact on both the economy and social life of Americans not only now but in future. Although the activities of mining destroyed the landscape and the environment in general, the great population of people it attracted from around the globe have influenced the culture of not only California but also the rest of the United States. The diversity in cultures that represent most communities and major countries in the world give the state the unique sense of global village. Future announcements and discoveries should however be contained and controlled effectively to avoid the massive negative effects on land and the environment as well pollution from overpopulation. Today, availability of equipment to detect the ores and mine precious minerals may not allow the crazy rush of the public to manually extract precious stone such as gold to make riches. The State of California, therefore, owes its diversity, trends in culture and economic standards to the famous Gold Rush of the 19th Century.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 2314

This paper is created by writer with

ID 278935128

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Extreme term papers, adjustment term papers, existence term papers, majority term papers, tool term papers, upward term papers, lawsuit term papers, factory biographies, myriad essays, west african essays, not afraid essays, dropouts essays, flagstones essays, public economics essays, commission on human rights essays, sulfonylureas essays, beta cells essays, management policies essays, disbursement essays, boiler essays, steam turbine essays, all the world s a stage literature review, example of essay on abortion, my studies trip to england and usa essay examples, free research paper on negotiations within the chinese culture, rosencrantz and guildenstern essay examples, case study on observation 1, corporate finance industry asset betas capital asset pricing model course work sample, ethical issue critical thinking example, free difference between protean career and boundaryless career essay sample, example of strategic management case study 3, terminology in architecture theory genius loci essays example, free african american civil rights essay sample, good example of quantitative and qualitative summaries of bipolar research paper, free essay on changing habits, example of narrative and descriptive essay essay, free the devil behind the mirror globalization and politics in the dominican republic essay sample, two short paragraphs essay examples, noise reduction for turbine engine research paper, free governor john kasich s tax reform plan is designed to simplify the tax code it does essay sample, good essay about types of skills in a supervisor interpersonal assessment planning and evaluation, free american culture oates dreaming america essay sample.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

• Free Samples
• Premium Essays
• Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
• Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
• Essay Writing Help
• About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ
• Studentshare
• Visual Arts & Film Studies
• The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush - Essay Example

• Subject: Visual Arts & Film Studies
• Type: Essay
• Level: Undergraduate
• Pages: 3 (750 words)
• Downloads: 4
• Author: esperanza31

Extract of sample "The Gold Rush"

In the 1925-film “The Gold Rush” which starred some of the prominent actors of the silent era namely – Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, and Tom Murray, acting tools and cinematic elements were designed to convey what seemed like a sequence of tragicomedy-bearing scenes about life in the cold state. Through the direction of Chaplin who is himself the protagonist in the film the Lone Prospector, the motion picture, as a whole, was made to depict the economic struggle taking place during the early 1900s as well as the manner in which ordinary men go an extra mile to break norms for the sake of surviving the extreme conditions of cold weather, starvation, and especially each other’s competencies at vying for the precious gold mines. Apparently, the search for gold in the silent narrative establishes the point where the conflict develops as the main characters find themselves seeking desperate means to obtain food and shelter.

Though “The Gold Rush” illustrates the serious theme with comic relief via Chaplin’s signature slapstick routine, the borrowed ‘Tramp’ character herein projects no element of formalism. The Lone Prospector remains a common-man figure yet, as may be observed frequently, it is his sense of humor and humble attitude toward life which lightens up the rather severe image of poor and rough living in an all-snow mountainous region. Details of realism are vivid in the creation of the plot as the actors portray the natural roles of men in pursuit of treasure with an approach that engages them in the course of nature instead of a heroic transformation or magical escape from reality. The realist perspective of the plot guides their actions to arrive at the turning point and settle for resolution through real unpredictable circumstances. One concrete piece of evidence would be the instance when Big Jim McKay exclaims having found gold at the onset (00:04:53) but the story proceeds into the situation where the famished McKay craves food (00:20:49) and says to his fellow “I thought you were a chicken” out of an illusion.

Life in Alaska in the first quarter of the 20th century entailed having to cope with significant crises in the economy which affected even the moral and social relations among the state inhabitants, in general. This is quite conspicuous in the unfortunate affairs which the Lone Prospector, McKay, and Black Larsen are confronted with in that, while Larsen sets off to get even in fate despite the burning cold weather, the other two have gone to the extremes of having a cooked shoe served for a Thanksgiving dinner (00:18:50). Their representational acting, in this stage, altogether appears lacking in emotional consequence or one that exhibits warm human sentiment as the film attempts to demonstrate the truth regarding pretense and suspicion which humans were disposed to behave with at such times. Nevertheless, the abrupt pace of the acts coinciding with the thematic rhythm enables the audience to perceive “The Gold Rush” under the influence of its comical effects notwithstanding a grasp of the film’s historical context by a viewer. With humor, being the principal component of the cinema piece, the economic issue loses its essence as the heavy subject as the audience becomes more drawn to recognize the filmmaker’s chief objective of structuring the story flow with comedic schemes.

By the moment the Lone Prospector parts from his temporary comrade and ventures across the icy environment, his trip leads to the Monte Carlo Dance Hall in Yukon where he is bound to meet Georgia. In the midst of the rush for gold, the man encounters the love of his life in an instant (00:31:53). Since his silent character onscreen is further silent in this portion of the film, Chaplin renders peculiar gestures in acting out the fascinated yet speechless man after the woman’s invitation to dance. He utilizes certain body language to speak of the hidden feelings via picking and keeping Georgia’s seemingly neglected photo. Moreover, when Georgia and company chance upon the new cabin where the nomadic prospector stays, Chaplin necessitates treating his character as a person who suddenly goes wild and frantic, tearing pillows, and agitating the small poorly built place of another man, as though it were his, in the utter expression of what is going on inside (00:55:00).

How one act causes the next makes a potential cinematic aspect, much as the capacity of producing appropriate gestures and expressions. When Georgia sends Jack a sorry note (1:12:00) which Jack ignores and orders to be brought to the wandering tramp who crosses path once again with McKay unexpectedly (1:14:26), the message of the letter makes an impression of hope as the old fellow insists for them to go back to the original cabin where he believes the gold must be. Discovery at the moment comes after the raging snowstorm takes their cabin to the edge of the cliff, the extent to which the strength of companionship is tested prior to the revelation of the spot of fortune. In the end, however, there emerges a juxtaposition between the worth of material riches and the worth of love so that on performing an act of recollection, the leading actor occurs to encourage the audience to reflect on the thought “Everything but Georgia” (1:29:59).

• all glitters is not gold story
• straw into gold sandra cisneros summary
• Cited: 0 times
• Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Gold Rush

The gold rush in california, californias cultural evolution, chinese immigration to the united states, the california gold rush, california gold rush, directions in the word document, economic growth of california, the gold rush era.

• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• COOKIES POLICY

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Become an FT subscriber

Try unlimited access Only $1 for 4 weeks

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion
• Special features
• FirstFT newsletter
• Videos & Podcasts
• Android & iOS app
• FT Edit app
• 10 gift articles per month

Explore more offers.

Standard digital.

• FT Digital Edition

Premium Digital

Print + premium digital, weekend print + standard digital, weekend print + premium digital.

Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• Global news & analysis
• Exclusive FT analysis
• FT App on Android & iOS
• FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
• 20+ curated newsletters
• Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
• FT Videos & Podcasts
• 20 monthly gift articles to share
• Lex: FT's flagship investment column
• 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts
• FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition
• Weekday Print Edition
• Videos & Podcasts
• Premium newsletters
• 10 additional gift articles per month
• FT Weekend Print delivery
• Everything in Standard Digital
• Everything in Premium Digital

Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• 10 monthly gift articles to share
• Everything in Print

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.

International Edition

Home — Essay Samples — History — Californian Gold Rush — History Of California: Gold Rush

History of California: Gold Rush

• Categories: American History Californian Gold Rush

About this sample

Words: 2299 |

12 min read

Published: Apr 29, 2022

Words: 2299 | Pages: 5 | 12 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: History

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 821 words

2 pages / 746 words

3 pages / 1308 words

2 pages / 945 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Californian Gold Rush

California became an American territory when the United States defeated Mexico in 1847. John Marshall discovered gold the next year, bringing people from all over the world to the port of San Francisco and the surrounding area. [...]

While the American Dream applied to the whole country, California and the Gold Rush breathed new life into this dream. Dreams of becoming rich, managing successful businesses and the prospect of new jobs gathered thousands of [...]

Having been a part of the Asian-American population for a little over a decade, I encountered hardships that only an Asian living in America would know. Reflecting upon those times, I wondered about the first Asians who came to [...]

The California Gold Rush of the 1849 had its positive and negative effects on westward expansion including the increase in population leading to development of California as a state, the removal of Native Americans, and both the [...]

We always wonder why bad things happen, maybe the answer is right in front of us but we’re just too blind or na?ve to see it. Most would like to think that all people know the difference between right and wrong. The problem is [...]

One of the more impactful means by which the experience of war is recreated for a civilian audience is through the illustration of the human body, with lived experience and relevant literature illustrating war as an entity so [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Special Features

Vendor voice.

AWS CISO tells The Reg: In the AI gold rush, folks are forgetting application security

'everybody's learning as they go. but there's a rush to get these apps out'.

RSAC As corporations rush full tilt to capitalize on the AI craze and bring machine-learning-based apps to market, they aren't paying enough attention to application security, says AWS Chief Information Security Office Chris Betz.

"Companies forget about the security of the application in their rush to use generative AI," Betz told The Register during an interview at the RSA Conference in San Francisco last week.

There needs to be safeguards and other protections around these advanced neural networks, from training to inference, to avoid them being exploited or used in unexpected and unwanted in ways, we're told: "A model doesn't stand on its own. A model exists in the context of an application."

Betz described securing the AI stack as a cake with three layers. The bottom layer is the training environment, where the large language models (LLMs) upon which generative AI applications are built. That training process needs to be robust to ensure you're not, among other things, putting garbage in and getting garbage out.

"How do you make sure you're getting the right data, that that data is protected, that you're training the model correctly, and that you have the model working the way that you want," Betz said.

The middle layer provides access to the tools needed to run and scale generative AI applications. 

"You spend all this time training and fine tuning the model. Where do you run the model? How do you protect the model? These models are really interesting because they get handed some of the most sensitive data that a company has," Betz said.

So it's imperative that that right data makes it into and out of the LLM, and that the data is protected throughout this process, he explained.

Securing the top layer — the applications using LLMs or those built on top of AI platforms — sometimes gets lost in the push to market.

"The first two layers are new and novel for customers," Betz added. "Everybody's learning as they go. But there's a rush to get these applications out." That rush leaves the top layer vulnerable.

68 tech names sign CISA's secure-by-design pledge

• AWS promotes itself as alternative to its own VMware service
• TikTok becomes first platform to require watermaking of AI content

Ex-White House election threat hunter weighs in on what to expect in November

During the annual cybersecurity event, AWS and IBM released a study based on a survey of 200 C-level executives conducted in September 2023. It found 81 percent of respondents said generative AI requires a new security governance model. Similarly, 82 percent said secure and trustworthy AI is essential to the success of their businesses.

However, only 24 percent of today's gen-AI projects have a security component, according to that survey, meaning the C-suite isn't prioritizing security.

"That disparity, I think, is part of that race to the market," Betz said. "And as I've talked with customers, and as I've seen public data, the places where we're seeing the security gaps first are actually at the application layer. It's the traditional technology where we've got people racing to get solutions out, and they are making mistakes." ®

• RSA Conference

Narrower topics

• Advanced persistent threat
• Application Delivery Controller
• Authentication
• AWS Graviton
• Common Vulnerability Scoring System
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
• Data Breach
• Data Protection
• Digital certificate
• Identity Theft
• Incident response
• Kenna Security
• Large Language Model
• Machine Learning
• Neural Networks
• Palo Alto Networks
• Quantum key distribution
• Remote Access Trojan
• Surveillance
• Tensor Processing Unit
• Trusted Platform Module
• Vulnerability

Broader topics

• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• RSA Security
• Self-driving Car

Send us news

Other stories you might like

America's war on drugs and crime will be ai powered, says homeland security boss, ai red-teaming tools helped x-force break into a major tech manufacturer 'in 8 hours', big brains divided over training ai with more ai: is model collapse inevitable, the next step up for high-impact identity authorization.

MITRE promises a cute little 17-PFLOPS AI super for the rest of Uncle Sam's agencies

Google search results polluted by buggy ai-written code frustrate coders, vmware waves goodbye to aws middleman as broadcom takes the reins, cisa boss: secure code is the 'only way to make ransomware a shocking anomaly', america's enemies targeting us critical infrastructure should be 'wake-up call', from infosec to skunks, rsa conference svp spills the tea.

• Advertise with us

Our Websites

• The Next Platform
• Blocks and Files

Your Privacy

• Cookies Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Ts & Cs

Copyright. All rights reserved © 1998–2024