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The First Opium War 1839-1842
The First Opium War or the Anglo-Chinese war was a war about Opium stocks in China. It was fought by the Chinese empire and Great Britain. Fighting lasted from 1839 to 1842. “In 1839 when the opium war between China and great Britain broke out, Tao chi’ en was 16 years old” (200) Allende uses imagery to show the reader how old Tao Chi’en is during this timeframe. The reader can picture Tao during this time. Photo source Wikipedia Source Wikipedia -
Chilean Silver Rush 1830-1850
During the timeframe of 1830 through 1850 Chile saw an increase in miners mining for silver. This was crucial for Chile as it was the country’s main source of wealth. “ . . .rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north” (65). Allende uses imagery to paint the picture of silver and gold in the readers head to show the significance of the event of the Chilean Silver Rush Image source Wikipedia Source Wikipedia -
Chilean Oligarchy 1844
For a time after the Chilean War for Independence, Chile was under an oligarchy. During this time Chile saw a good economy and prosperity. The government was stable. “He also considered himself an enemy of the useless and decadent oligarchy, and of the government because it did not represent the intrests of the people…”(137) Allende uses characterization and imagery to show readers Joaquin Andietta’s character as counter intuitive to the government at the time. -
Gold was discovered in SF!
Gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada foothills on January 24,1848. This was the year when lot of migrants flocked into the SF bay to start their jounrey onwards towards a hopefully better future. “He was affected by gold fever and went off to make his fortune.” (242). Here the reader realizes that Joaquin has nothing better to live for than going to California in the hope to find gold. A lot of people felt the same way. Mostly men were the ones who made the trip out in search for gold. -
The “Anti-Chilean War” of 1849
The “Anti-Chilean War” of 1849 on the Stanislaus River would also serve as an historical precursor to the problems of American mineral corporations in foreign lands. The Chilean men unwittingly took offense to locals. "We heard about it because newspapers were being published daily in San Francisco, spreading the word that a new war had broken out in Chile and that all those who had fled from there were traitors, ready to destroy California." Eliza wasnt in Chile at the time of this War. -
The Great Flood of 1850
The rain caused a flood in Sacramento, which destroyed buildings that were already in a vulnerable state. A number of cattle perished in the water, and crops were ruined. "The last days of January 1850 witnessed one of the worst ice storms ever seen in those parts" (370) Allende uses pathos and invokes emotion by calling the town "dead" and underlining the economic standstill with "for more than ten days." This makes people feel sorry for the struggling townspeople. -
California becoming the 31st state
California became the 31st state in the United States on September 9, 1850, after Mexico ceded much of its northern territory to the US. The gold rush in 1849 led to a massive population and wealth surge, and the state was accepted as a free-labor state under the Compromise of 1850."In September of 1850, Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest state in the union.” (386) When California became the 31st state, Tao is depicted to be present. (history.org -
The "Death" of Joaquin Murrieta
California Rangers won $6,000 for capturing outlaw Joaquin Murrieta's head in 1853. They arrested Murrieta's brother-in-law and murdered eight outlaws. Love's rangers preserved the head in whiskey-filled vats, and the state approved. Love took Murrieta's head to California mining sites for profit."The heroic Captain Harry Love cut off the supposed Murieta's head with one sword slash." (245) Allende implies Murieta's mutilation. It may not be Murieta because “supposed” implies that. (history.org)