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Chilean Silver Rush
"Lasting from 1830 to 1850, the silver rush attracted thousands to the Atacama Desert and other northern areas. This brought wealth from silver mining, attracted foreign investors, and improved infrastructure, improving Chile's economy" (wikiwand.com). Allende says, ”To top it off, rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north” (65). Allende uses figures of speech to show how rich and plentiful the minerals are in northern Chile in this line. (Photo from wikipedia.com) -
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Chilean Silver Rush
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First Opium War
"Britain smuggled large amounts of opium into China, disrupting their economy. China tried to prohibit opium trafficking, prompting Britain to start the First Opium War" (history.state.gov). “The weakened imperial armies, under the command of corrupt officers receiving contradictory orders from Peking, could do nothing against the powerful and well-disciplined English fleet” (201). Allende uses imagery to describe the advantage the British had over the Chinese Army. (picture from nam.ac.uk) -
The Rebuild of San Agustin
"The passage is referring to the 1647 Santiago earthquake in Chile. Only one statue survived. The building was repaired during 1847" (santiagoturismo.com). Allende writes “Two hundred years before, a devastating earthquake had leveled the capital, completely destroying the church of San Agustin except for the altar that held this Christ ”(40). Through his choice of words, Allende paints a picture of how destructive the earthquake was in this chapter. (Photo from wikipedia.org) -
Discovery of Sutter's Mill
"News of gold at Sutter's Mill early in 1848 attracted people from all around the world. As a result, the region became alive with activity and businesses" (www.history.com). Allende writes, “In January of that year, near the mill of a Swiss farmer on the banks of the American River, a man by the name of Marshall had found a scale of gold in the water” (Allende 144-145). Allende uses vivid imagery to show the scene of Marshall's discovery at Sutter's Mill. (Photo from mygoldrushtales.com) -
News of Gold came to Chile
"About 3,000 passports were issued to Chileans, willing to take a shot at getting rich. Most sneaked in ships and traveled illegally" (pbs.org). “The average salary was twenty cents per day, and the newspapers wrote that the long-lost El Dorado had been found, the city the conquistadors had dreamed of, where the streets were paved with pure gold” (145). Allende uses exaggeration to demonstrate the level of excitement the news must’ve been to the Chileans. (Pic from legendsofamerica.com) -
Compromise of 1850
"The California Gold Rush brought a huge increase to California’s population. California was soon inducted as a slave-free state of the Union through the Compromise of 1850"
(parks.ca.gov). “In September of 1850, Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest state in the union"
(Allende 386). Allende uses imagery to describe how happy and excited the new Americans are as they celebrate their statehood. Photo from parks.ca.gov -
Gold Rush Flood of 1850
"Sacramento suffered a flood due to the rain, tearing down weak buildings. Crops were destroyed and some cattle drowned. This led to the elimination of the use of hydraulic mining"
(sierrasun.com). “No one dared leave shelter; the town seemed dead, and for more than ten days, not a single customer came to the barn”
(Allende 370). Allende uses personification, describing the town as “dead”, revealing the dreadfulness of the town at that time. (Picture by sierrasun.com) -
Death of Joaquin Murrieta
"Captain Love's men surrounded an outlaw camp on Cantua Creek. They killed 8 men, 2 of whom they believed were Murrieta and Three-Fingered Jack. They preserved Murrieta’s head and Three-Fingered Jack’s hand in a jar" (history.com). “The heroic Captain Harry Love proceeded to cut off the head of the supposed Murrieta with one slash of his sword" (Allende 482). Allende uses foreshadowing to describe the mutilation of Murrieta, hinting that it may be an imposter. (truewestmagazine.com)