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Chilean Silver Rush
“ . . .rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north” (65). “Fuelled by the discovery at Chañarcillo, the Chilean silver rush of the mid-19th century did much to drive demographic, - and turn it into one of South America’s strongest economies. (Aftermathsilver)Chañarcillo sparked Chile's mid-19th century silver rush, leading to rapid population growth, infrastructure development, and economic modernization, strengthening Chile's economy. -
Concepcion Earthquake of 1835
"immortalized in schoolchildren’s textbooks and in their grandparents’ memories. "The main shock destroyed much of Concepción in just six seconds. There were aftershocks for several weeks and three tsunamis, each one larger than the last, starting about half an hour after the earthquake and bringing further devastation" (Van Wyhe 1) The earthquake shattered Concepción in seconds, with lasting devastation from aftershocks and tsunamis. -
Opium War
"When the Opium War between China and Great Britain broke out, Tao Chi’en was sixteen years old" (Allende 49)
"The first Opium War was fought between China and Great Britain from 1839 to 1842. In the second Opium War, from 1856 to 1860, a weakened China fought both Great Britain and France. China lost both wars.”(asiapacificcurriculum) The Opium Wars weakened China, leading to losses against Britain and France. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
”The yellow pellet that unleashed the madness was found nine days after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.” (Allende 145) "This treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States and Mexico. By its terms, Mexico ceded - California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming." (National Archive) Gold discovery followed the Treaty, sparking California's rush. -
News to Chile
In the chapter “The News” which will reveal the discovery of gold in CA starts with, “September twenty first, the first day of spring according to Miss Rose’s calendar.” (Allende 143) "Word of Marshall’s discovery first arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, with the arrival of the brig JRS on August 19, 1848. (Legends of America) Gold's discovery reached Valparaíso, soon spreading the news that ignited California's rush, paralleling spring's new beginnings in Allende's story. -
Eliza Looking for Joaquín
"During the summer and autumn months of 1849 . . .” (328). "A Joaquín Murrieta was recorded as baptized in Sonora, Mexico, in 1830; while still a teenager, he married and migrated with his wife to California (1848)." (Britannica.com) Joaquín was a real person in California during the time of the Gold Rush. -
California in a Time of Great Change
”The last days of January 1850 witnessed one of the worst ice storms ever seen in those parts.” (Allende 370) "All of a sudden, the sleepy towns of California became packed with “forty-niners” and travelers from around the globe in search of gold. California’s population skyrocketed and the promise of gold left surely left Mexico with some regrets." (great-republic.com) In 1850 California's towns swelled with "forty-niners" chasing gold in very cold conditions reshaping the region. -
California Becomes a State
”In September of 1850, Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest state in the union.” (Allende 386) "California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. - shaped by people of every ethnic background who traveled here seeking economic, social and educational opportunity, and a life of quality and breathtaking beauty." (parks.ca.gov) In September 1850, Tao witnessed California's statehood, a diverse land full of opportunity and growth.