Analyze the transformations of landscapes in
California and the West over time, as different waves of conquest reshaped the region. Some of
the most dramatic transformations occurred in the wake of the mid-nineteenth century Mexican
American War and especially the discovery of gold in California. The decades that followed
saw the building of massive cities and the creation of extensive agricultural land, among other
changes. Specifically, you will address this question: How did transformations of landscapes in
California and the West in the late nineteenth century affect the region’s people? You will
address this question in a formal paper of 1500-1800 words that presents and analyzes specific,
cited evidence from at least three different chapters, articles, or primary sources assigned in this
course.