Native Americans During the Gold Rush
At the beginning of the Gold Rush, many Native Americans participated in mining for gold. In fact, a 1848 government report estimated that one half of the gold diggers in California were Indians. Often men would join Native American work teams, or entire families would mine for gold together. They could trade this gold with local merchants for supplies such as blankets, food, and jewelry (Part II, Native Californian).
Over time, the gold miners began to view Native Americans as inexpensive labor, and took control of them. Perhaps this was because the miners were frustrated at their failure to find gold, and blamed the Native Americans. Many miners were successful in attacking Native American villages, because the Native Americans had less people and weapons than the miners. During these attacks, miners often slaughtered Native Americans, forced them to pay high taxes or fees, chased them out of the area, enslaved them, or forced them to participate in torturous marches to missions and reservations such as the Round Valley Reservation. In addition, over 4,000 Native American children were taken from their parents and sold during the Gold Rush (Part II, Gold, Greed, & Genocide, Native Californian, Rawles).
Over time, the gold miners began to view Native Americans as inexpensive labor, and took control of them. Perhaps this was because the miners were frustrated at their failure to find gold, and blamed the Native Americans. Many miners were successful in attacking Native American villages, because the Native Americans had less people and weapons than the miners. During these attacks, miners often slaughtered Native Americans, forced them to pay high taxes or fees, chased them out of the area, enslaved them, or forced them to participate in torturous marches to missions and reservations such as the Round Valley Reservation. In addition, over 4,000 Native American children were taken from their parents and sold during the Gold Rush (Part II, Gold, Greed, & Genocide, Native Californian, Rawles).
Surprisingly, this behavior towards the Native Americans was socially and legally acceptable. In 1850, the California State Legislature passed the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, which denied Native Americans the right to testify in court. It also gave white Americans the right to keep Native Americans as indentured servants. Also, those who killed Native Americans were compensated for their efforts by local communities who offered money for evidence of murdered Indians. In fact, in 1855, a severed Native American head was worth five dollars in Shasta, California. Even the state government, and eventually Congress, passed legislation authorizing funds to pay those who murdered Indians for their efforts (Paddison, Gold, Greed, & Genocide, Rawles).
Disease was extremely prominent during the Gold Rush, as well. Since people were focused on mining for gold, they did not take the time to organize basic public services in the area. For this reason, sickness was very common. Epidemic diseases such as smallpox, measles, syphilis, and cholera spread quickly and killed many people, including Native Americans (Part II, Native Californian).
Disease was extremely prominent during the Gold Rush, as well. Since people were focused on mining for gold, they did not take the time to organize basic public services in the area. For this reason, sickness was very common. Epidemic diseases such as smallpox, measles, syphilis, and cholera spread quickly and killed many people, including Native Americans (Part II, Native Californian).