-
Chilean Silver Rush
In Daughter of Fortune, the narrator says “...rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north” (65). This refers to the Chilean Silver Rush which occurred between 1830-1850. “Between 1830 and 1850 Chilean silver mining grew at an unprecedented pace which transformed mining into one of the country's principal sources of wealth. The rush caused rapid demographic, infrastructural, and economic expansion in the semi-arid Norte Chico mountains where the silver deposits lay” (dbpedia.org). -
Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
In Daughter of Fortune, there were many floods that caused damages to the villages. Before there were two earthquakes that destroyed the church of San Agustin, but the only thing left standing was the altar. Allende writes, "a series of minor temblors, which came like God’s wrath, finished destroying everything..."(39). This can also been seen in history when, "Charles Darwin experienced a major earthquake in the Concepción-Valdivia region of Chile 175 years ago, in February 1835" (PubMed.com). -
Opium War
With in Daughter of Fortune, the Opium War is mentioned when the narrator mentions how Tao Chi’en was 16 years old when the war between China and Great Britain Broke out; the country was starting to become overrun with beggars and crime. This can also be seen in history through an article on Britannica.com stating, “The first Opium War (1839–42) was fought between China and Britain” (Pletcher 1). -
Treaty of Guadalupe
In Daughter of Fortune the narrator mentions the first day of spring (September 21) of 1848 and the Treaty of Guadalupe. Thus, "This treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory…” (Archives.gov). This meant that California was no longer belonged to Mexico; therefore, the newly found gold in California was a lost treasure to Mexico. -
Gold Rush
Daughter of Fortune mentions April 1849, page 263, which in context of the sail to San Francisco. This relates to history in the terms of the Gold Rush and how many people fled to SF in hopes of striking gold. For example, “In 1849, approximately 40,000 people poured in from one sea route or another” (loc.gov 1). -
Argonauts
In 1849, “Argonauts’ became an instant alternative nickname for the ‘Forty-Niners’, the desperate poor from Europe who arrived, often after arduous overland journeys across North America, to try to make their fortunes out of gold on the west coast of America in 1849”(C&C). The argonauts are mentioned in Daughter of Fortune when the narrator states, "By that time there were more than 100,000 argonauts . . .” (329). More kept coming and spread around the mother load, turning the world upside down. -
The New Union
The narrator mentions September of 1850, stating “In September of 1850, Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest taste in the union” (386). This connects to history which can be seen through an article stating, "“The Compromise of 1850 consists of five laws passed in September of 1850 that dealt with the issue of slavery and territorial expansion. In 1849 California requested permission to enter the Union as a free state...” (LOC). -
The Gold Rush Flood
Daughter of Fortune refers to “The last days of January 1850...” (370) in which an ice storm hit SF. This can be seen in history during a heavy rainstorm hit SF leaving the city flooded. "After 165 years, the winter of 1850 still ranks as the 15th wettest in San Francisco since 1849 with a total 33.10 inches of rain" (McLaughlin, Seirrasun.com).