Gold was found in california in 1849. this discovery fired the imaginations of many people, and it greatly affected california’s history. the gold rush that followed drew prospectors from all over the world. those prospectors later became known as fortyniners. the arrival of this group stimulated economic growth and the expansion of the railroad system. which of the following omitted details would contribute most to the passage’s main idea—that the discovery of gold had a great effect on california’s history? california became known as the golden state. california is our third-largest state. california also is home to earthquakes and landslides. california borders the pacific ocean.