The Golden State of America

California aka The Golden State is a region of human diversity and rich geography. There were many things that have shaped the history of the most populous of the United States. California was never perfect but was always doing what was best for the people. Filled with highs and lows California wouldn’t be what it is today without its corrupt and ugly history. But I believe California has evolved to be one of the most diverse and unique states.

The “Big Four”- Leland Stanford, Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins are ambitious American businessmen best remembered for building the first American Transcontinental Railroad which made a huge impact on California. The Railroad had some positive impacts like creating jobs, economic growth soared and it was quicker and easier to get around. Citizens were in need of a railroad and thanks to the Big Four they made that possible, and without them, there wouldn’t be any trade or a railroad. Despite whether you believe they are a villain or hero The Big Four made many contributions to society like helped build schools, parks, and gave back to the community. The Transcontinental Railroad helped in the development of trade, and brought settlers, faster transportation/travel, and population growth. The railroad is still used till this day to transport goods and passengers and has changed the way transportation is today. Their ultimate goal was to help California flourish and that is what they ended up doing.

The California Gold Rush was an immensely key event in our state and country's rich history. The Gold Rush affected many individuals positively and negatively. Life during the gold rush was difficult and finding gold was no guarantee. It brought people from all around the world to a place where opportunity was available to anyone who was willing to take a chance. The Gold Rush was the reason for its diverse population in California. Many hoped to get rich fast, but most were unlucky. But the Gold Rush played an important role in shaping the economy, business, made an everlasting impact on industrial/agricultural development, and the development of key cities such as San Francisco. The gold rush brought people over in search for gold but instead what they found was a new home.

Life in the U.S. for Asians and Japanese Americans have never been easy. Every Asian immigrants faced bigotry, economic burden, and injustice. Those who had came to the U.S worked in mines, farms, and railroads accepted lower wages, which made the whites resentful. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. war department suspected Japanese Americans might be spies or traitors, despite any concrete evidence. his racial hostility led to the rounding up and relocation by the U.S, government to prison camps of 120,000 Japanese Americans, aliens, and citizens. The separation and relocations of all the Japanese started to create hate and racism toward their ethnicity. While the relocation camps never reached the level of Concentration camps as far as atrocities, they remain a dark mark on the nation’s record of respecting cultural differences and civil liberties. We should learn from our past and realize the best way to show patriotism is to work toward a society that values “liberty and justice for all”.

The Big Four, Gold Rush, and Pearl Harbor are themes that have shaped California in some way. California has gone through a lot, and while I don’t completely agree about some events that happened here I believe California is truly a great state.