The Gold Rush refers to the period in the mid-1800s when a large number of people migrated to California in search of gold, resulting in a rapid increase in population and economic activity.
Related terms
Manifest Destiny: The belief that it was America's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast.
Boomtown: A town that experiences sudden growth and prosperity due to an economic boom or discovery of resources.
Prospector: A person who searches for valuable minerals such as gold or silver.