San Francisco

What was San Francisco like during the 1850s?

San Francisco grew rapidly in 1849, the population expanding from 1,000 to 25,000 people as people flocked there during the Gold Rush. Growth continued into the 1850s as the miners moved in, funded by larger mining companies.

Why did Chinese migrants go to San Francisco in the 1850s?

There was a severe famine in China in 1852, which led to many Chinese migrants travelling to California and particularly San Francisco. Some 18,000 Chinese migrants had arrived by the end of 1852.

What problems were there in San Francisco like during the 1850s?

The lack of jobs, and the fact not enough gold was being found, led to several problems when it came to law and order.

• ❖ Gangs established themselves in different areas of the city and formed rivalries with each other.
• ❖ Law enforcement was ineffective. There was so much crime, law officers could not keep up.
• ❖ Corruption among law officers was common.
• ❖ People literally got away with murder, as gangs killed their rivals in daylight. They could walk into saloons and shoot people with few consequences.
• ❖ Racism increased. Rules were made for Chinese miners only, which included not working on new claims. When Chinese migrants did make money, white Americans often robbed them, destroyed their camps, and sometimes murdered them.