Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 19th century, the United States government and American people were interested in the region that included California for several reasons, including economic opportunities, territorial expansion, and the ideology of Manifest Destiny.
Manifest Destiny was a belief held by many Americans that it was their God-given right and duty to expand westward across the continent and spread American values and culture. This ideology drove American territorial expansion throughout the 19th century, including the acquisition of California from Mexico in 1848.
Many Americans migrated to California during the Gold Rush of 1849, seeking to strike it rich and build a better life for themselves. These migrants were known as "Forty-Niners" and included people from all walks of life, including miners, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
In his book, "Two Years Before the Mast," Richard Henry Dana described California as a land of great opportunity and potential. He wrote about the abundance of natural resources, including fertile land and abundant fisheries, and praised the hardworking and enterprising spirit of the Californians he met.
Dana's description of California strengthened Americans' belief that it should be part of the United States because it portrayed California as a land of great promise and potential. Americans saw California as a land of opportunity and believed that its resources and potential could benefit the entire country. This belief fueled American territorial expansion and helped justify the acquisition of California from Mexico.