This compelling book delves into how the gold discovery reshaped economies, societies, and migration patterns in South America. Through vivid accounts, it examines the allure of California's riches that sent thousands of Chileans and Peruvians across treacherous seas, while highlighting the unique cultural exchanges that emerged in the mining camps. The narrative also captures the ripple effects back home, from economic booms to social challenges, as gold rush fever redefined global connections. Rich in historical detail, this study also uncovers the ingenuity and resilience of Latin Americans who ventured to California, often facing prejudice and hardship. It provides a dual lens--charting their influence on California's development and the gold rush's transformative effects on Chilean and Peruvian economies. Essential reading for history enthusiasts, this work illuminates a fascinating chapter in the shared histories of the Americas, where ambition and opportunity bridged continents during one of the 19th century's most pivotal events. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.