Question

In one to two sentences, explain how California became the first state in the West.


(I don't have enough points to make it 100 so I'll make it 50 only if you answer correctly)

Answer 1

With the Gold Rush came a huge increase in population and a pressing need for civil government. In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850.