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Concepcion Earthquake
Explanation for the wrath Chile has gone through explained by Allende to give the reader some context. Allende states, ". . . .a series of minor temblors, which came like God’s wrath, finished destroying everything . . .” (38-39). This shows the turmoil Chile had been going through years leading up the Gold Rush. Before the Gold Rush people in Chile have been struggling with natural disasters. -
Chilean Silver Rush
“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.” (dbpedia.org). Allende writes that “ . . .rich veins of silver and gold were discovered in the north.” (65), showing that the Chileans were able to finally use their territory that was filled with silver and precious metals and indicated a large boom in the Chilean economy. -
Natural Disasters in Chile
More background information about the devastating Natural Disasters in Chile. Gives context to highlight the difference between the wealthy people and the poor during Eliza's past. Allende writes, "That was the year of the floods, which were immortalized in schoolchildren’s textbooks and in their grandparents’ memories"(38-39). This highlights the very devastating and sad times in Chile. This symbolizes the terror and sadness Chile has been going through at the time before the Gold Rush started -
Taiping Rebellion
In 1847, the Taiping Rebellion was brewing in the countryside and among the peasants of China. Allende writes that at the same time in the Spring of 1847, “Tao Chi’en’s destiny took a sudden turn…” (229). This is very thoughtful of Allende, because she synchronizes Tao being “shanghaied” and his destiny taking a turn with China’s destiny also taking a turn, with the Taiping Rebellion occuring and costing millions of lives. -
California Gold Rush Begins
On this day, James Marshall discovered gold in the millrace with John Sutter in the American River. Word quickly spread, and within a few weeks, all of Sutter’s employees had left to search for gold. Allende writes, “For the first time in history, gold lay scattered on the ground, unclaimed, free, and plentiful, within the reach of anyone with the will to go after it” (270).This symbolizes the shift in new trajectory in which the whole lives of the characters in Chile will change for the better? -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
By treaty’s terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory. Allende writes “...the war between Mexico and the United States had ended with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.” (145) This is important because just 9 days later, as stated right before this quote, the first nugget of gold was found in California. The treaty is important because it ceded the US 55% of Mexico’s land area, and specifically California and it’s gold-rich mountains. -
Indians Blamed for Disappearance of Miners
Eliza and Tao were finding their way in San Francisco and heard rumors and stories of the wild area this is. Rumors went like this, “During that period some Yanqui miners mysteriously disappeared, and although their bodies have not been found their buddies accused the Indians of having murdered them” (289).Allende portrays SF as bizarre, which she uses this as an example to show the reader the reality of the place Eliza and Tao wants to chase their dreams. Also Indians were "savage" "childish." -
Foreign Miners Tax Law Passed
In January of 1850, the provisional government of California passed a law that forced non-native miners a fee of 25$ a month in order to mine in the state. This law was specifically targeting Chinese and Mexican miners. At the same time, Allende writes about the state and the terrible conditions of the residents, saying they “...witnessed one of the worst ice storms ever seen in those parts.” (370) This ice storm combined with the Foreign Miners Tax made life for non white miners terrible. -
East Coasts Overland Migrants Arrival
In the Summer of 1849, the migrants from the Midwest and East Coast began flooding in from their overland trails into the gold-filled region of California. At the same time, Eliza is searching for Joaquin harder than ever, “Eliza could scarcely sleep, …haunted by the persistent doubt that her lover’s silence could be explained only if he was dead…” (328) With this increase of people in the area, Eliza’s search for Joaquin is only made more difficult by the migration. -
California Becomes a State
On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st state in the US. At this time, many people began seeing that searching for gold was a fruitless effort, and began to leave California in boatloads. Allende writes “Tao was present at the noisy patriotic celebration when California became the newest state… The fever for gold was beginning to take the shape of enormous collective delusion,” (386) displaying the feelings that many people had at this time: the search for gold wasn’t worth their lives.