Gold Discoveries and Supply Shocks: California, Australia and the Klondike (1848–1900)

1. Gold discovered at Sutter’s Mill

   Jan 24, 1848Labels: Sutter's Mill, James W

   • History
   • Smithsonian

2. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo cedes California to U.S.

   Feb 2, 1848Labels: Treaty of, United States

   • Nat Archives
   • Britannica

3. Polk’s message confirms California gold to Congress

   Dec 5, 1848Labels: James K, U S

   • Cannon Papers
   • WKMS

4. “Forty-niners” surge into California goldfields

   Jan 1, 1849Labels: Forty-niners, California goldfields

   • CA SecState
   • Britannica

5. Hargraves’ Ophir find sparks New South Wales rush

   Feb 1, 1851Labels: Ophir, Edward Hargraves

   • ADB
   • Britannica

6. Gold discovered near Buninyong, Victoria

   Aug 8, 1851Labels: Buninyong, Thomas Hiscock

   • Australian Rushes
   • Goldfields Guide

7. Eureka Stockade rebellion highlights goldfield governance

   Dec 3, 1854Labels: Eureka Stockade, Ballarat miners

   • NMA
   • Britannica

8. Comstock Lode discovery launches major Nevada boom

   Jun 1, 1859Labels: Comstock Lode, Virginia City

   • NV SHPO
   • BLM

9. Coinage Act shifts U.S. toward gold by default

   Feb 12, 1873Labels: Coinage Act, U S

   • US Mint Law
   • Britannica

10. Sherman Silver Purchase Act pressures U.S. gold reserves

    Jul 14, 1890Labels: Sherman Silver, U S

    • Congress Law
    • Britannica

11. Coolgardie discovery begins Western Australia’s 1890s boom

    Sep 1, 1892Labels: Coolgardie, Western Australia

    • Australian Rushes
    • Coolgardie

12. Panic of 1893 prompts repeal of Sherman Silver law

    Nov 1, 1893Labels: Panic of, U S

    • Britannica
    • Sherman Act

13. Klondike gold discovered on Bonanza Creek

    Aug 16, 1896Labels: Bonanza Creek, Klondike Rush

    • NPS
    • Klondike

14. Gold Standard Act makes U.S. gold commitment explicit

    Mar 14, 1900Labels: Gold Standard, U S

    • Gold Act
    • Britannica