Depended on your class the wealthy class had vast amounts of land. The peasants worked hard and for little pay. Some people were traders who made profits. Others were slavers who forced the slaves to work who got beat regularly. depended on who you are.
Thousands of prospectors in 1849 became known as 49ers. They were going to Coloma, California, site of Sutter’s Mill, to mine for recently discovered gold in the Gold Rush.
