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Objective:
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Students will understand the contributions made by the Mormon Battalion to the history and development of California. | |
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Introduction:
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This video is a good transition between the war with Mexico and the Gold Rush. Remind the students that prior to the war with Mexico, California was populated primarily by three groups of people: the Spanish, the Mexicans, and the Native Americans. Once gold was discovered in northern California, however, California became the focus of a nationwide emigration, which changed the face of California forever. People of all nationalities, religions, and cultures flocked to California hoping to become rich.
The members of the Mormon Battalion came to California to serve in the war with Mexico and ended up serving two very important roles in the history and development of California. Frst, they built Sutter’s Mill, where gold was discovered. Secondly, they cut a wagon trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains that made it possible for thousands of gold seekers to come into California. |
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Activities:
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Show the video, “More Precious Than Gold.”1 As a class, complete the Sequence The Story activity. Choose from the following activities for the students to complete independently or with a partner to reinforce the vocabulary and concepts from the video:
Gold Rush Crossword |
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Follow-up/ Assessment:
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Discuss with the students the reason that the Mormon Battalion members chose not to stay in California after the mill was completed. What might have happened if they had stayed? Have the students carefully consider what they would have done if they were in that position. Graph the class responses. Have the students write about something that is more precious than gold. | |