New South Wales experienced the first gold rush in Australia, a period generally accepted to lie between 1851 and 1880. This period in the history of New South Wales resulted in a rapid growth in the population and significant boost to the economy of the colony of New South Wales. The California Gold Rush three years prior signaled the impacts on society that gold fever would produce, both positive and negative. The New South Wales colonial government concealed the early discoveries, but various factors changed the policy.
Edward Hargraves and three other men discover gold at Ophir, New South Wales, beginning Australia's first gold rush [1]
New South Wales experienced the first gold rush in Australia, a period generally accepted to lie between 1851 and 1880.
Historical Significance
New South Wales experienced the first gold rush in Australia, a period generally accepted to lie between 1851 and 1880.
Events Before
Senator Henry Clay drafts the Compromise of 1850 to defuse tensions between slave states and free states over territorie
Senator Henry Clay drafts the Compromise of 1850 to defuse tensions between slave states and free states over territories won during the Mexican–American War
French writer and playwright Honoré de Balzac marries Ewelina Hańska in Berdyczów, Ukraine
French writer and playwright Honoré de Balzac marries Ewelina Hańska in Berdyczów, Ukraine
American Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman (30) weds Eleanor Boyle Ewing in Washington, D.C., until her death
American Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman (30) weds Eleanor Boyle Ewing in Washington, D.C., until her death in 1888
Poet Alfred Tennyson (40) weds Emily Sellwood (36)
Poet Alfred Tennyson (40) weds Emily Sellwood (36)
First public demonstration of ice made via refrigeration by Florida physician John Gorrie
First public demonstration of ice made via refrigeration by Florida physician John Gorrie
Events After
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
Fugitive slave Frederick Douglass delivers his 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?' speech to the Ladies' Anti-Sla
Fugitive slave Frederick Douglass delivers his 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?' speech to the Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, condemning the celebration as a hypocritical sham
Future US President Rutherford B. Hayes (30) weds teetotaler and abolitionist Lucy Webb (21)
Future US President Rutherford B. Hayes (30) weds teetotaler and abolitionist Lucy Webb (21)
First Chinese immigrants arrive in Hawaii
First Chinese immigrants arrive in Hawaii
British recognize independence of Transvaal (in South Africa)
British recognize independence of Transvaal (in South Africa)
More from the 1850s
birth
Alice Mary Robertson is born
Alice Mary Robertson, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1854-01-02.
birth
Tim Keefe is born
Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 12, 1851?
- New South Wales experienced the first gold rush in Australia, a period generally accepted to lie between 1851 and 1880. This period in the history of New South Wales resulted in a rapid growth in the population and significant boost to the economy of the colony of New South Wales. The California Gold Rush three years prior signaled the impacts on society that gold fever would produce, both positive and negative.
- Why is Edward Hargraves and three other men discover gold at Ophir, New South Wales,... significant?
- New South Wales experienced the first gold rush in Australia, a period generally accepted to lie between 1851 and 1880.