Read the passage. Then answer the question. In early 1848, a man named John Marshall found gold flakes in a river in California. When the news spread, the California gold rush began. Gold seekers traveled by land and sea to California, hoping to strike it rich. As a result, the population of California soared from 1,000 to 100,000 in less than two years!

Why did gold seekers travel to California?

A. to get rich

B. to find John Marshall

C. to increase the population of California

D. to spread the news about gold flakes in a California river