TeachWhizz

The Impact of the Gold Rush on Manifest Destiny

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
9 questions
~18 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores the causes and consequences of the Gold Rush during the era of Manifest Destiny in American history. It encourages students to analyse primary sources and develop their understanding of how the Gold Rush influenced American expansion.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Manifest Destiny
#Standard
#Cause and Consequence
#Gold Rush
#Explain the causes of the Gold Rush and its relation to Manifest Destiny
#Compare the short-term and long-term consequences of the Gold Rush
#Analyse primary sources to understand perspectives during the Gold Rush

Worksheet Preview

Full preview • 9 questions

The Impact of the Gold Rush on Manifest Destiny

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz

Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to the Gold Rush and Manifest Destiny

Source A: Excerpt from a contemporary newspaper report

'The discovery of gold in California has ignited a wave of migration that will surely reshape the destiny of the nation...' Provenance: California newspaper, 1848.

1.
Explain how the Gold Rush was connected to the idea of Manifest Destiny. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the reasons why people moved west during the Gold Rush with earlier reasons for westward expansion. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
B

Causes of the Gold Rush

Source B: Letter from a Prospector

'When I heard about the gold in California, I knew I had to go. It’s the chance of a lifetime to change my future.' Provenance: Letter from a miner, 1849.

1.
Outline the main causes that led people to join the Gold Rush. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Analyse how the promise of wealth influenced people's decisions to migrate during the Gold Rush. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
C

Consequences of the Gold Rush

Source C: Excerpt from a historian's view

'The Gold Rush dramatically transformed California's landscape and society, accelerating its path to statehood and shaping its diverse population.' Provenance: Historian's analysis, 20th century.

1.
Explain two short-term consequences of the Gold Rush for California. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the long-term effects of the Gold Rush with its immediate impacts. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Analyse the social and environmental impacts of the Gold Rush. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
D

Reflection and Evaluation

Source D: Modern historian's comment

'The Gold Rush was a pivotal event that both fulfilled Manifest Destiny and initiated lasting changes to American society and environment.' Provenance: Modern historical analysis.

1.
Evaluate the importance of the Gold Rush in shaping American history. (5 marks)
[5 marks]
2.
Compare the positive and negative impacts of the Gold Rush. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

Quick Actions

What is Remix?

Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.

  • • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
  • • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
  • • Add more questions (10 → 15)
  • • Adjust difficulty

Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
Report this resource

Related Worksheets

Essay Planning: The Role of Convicts in Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 9q

Timeline & Chronology of Convicts in Commonwealth Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 8q

Understanding Convicts in Colonization: Vocabulary & Concepts

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 0q

Interpretations of Convict Labour in Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 7q
Back to Library