Jump to navigation

Picture This:
California Perspectives on American History
  • Home
  • Browse Pictures
  • Picture Map
  • Log In
  • Activities
  • Teaching Resources
  • About the Website

Search form

Gold Rush: 1848–1860: "The World Rushed In"

Click image to zoom in.
Or view larger version.
Untitled (Portrait of a Chinese Man). ca. 1851. Isaac W. Baker, photographer. Daguerrotype. Collection of Oakland Museum of California.

This photograph is a portrait of an anonymous Chinese man. In 1848, census figures listed only three nameless Chinese as California residents. By 1855 approximately twenty thousand Chinese men were living in the state. Chinese success in the diggings caused widespread abuse by Anglo miners. When someone was told he “didn’t have a Chinaman’s chance,” it meant his situation was hopeless.

  • More information about this Topic

Picture Location

Browse the Picture Map »

Timeline: Gold Rush: 1848–1860
« previous picture
next picture »

Browse By Timeline

  • Early California: pre-1769–1840s
  • Gold Rush: 1848–1860
  • Early Statehood: 1850 – 1880s
  • Progressive Era: 1890–1920s
  • Depression Era: 1930s
  • World War II Homefront Era: 1940s
  • Homogenization, Protests & Outright Rebellion: 1950s
  • Unforgettable Change: 1960s
  • Cultural Realignment & Economic Recession: 1970s
  • The Reagan Years: 1980s
  • 1990s to Present

Also, browse by Theme or by Most Useful

California.  Many Voices.  Many Stories.  Oakland Museum of California
Picture This is a project of the Oakland Museum of California