How many states seceded before Texas

What two things are being compared in this epic simile (the odysseus)

The california gold rush: actually had only a small impact on california’s population because its rich farmlands already attracted thousands of new settlers each year. attracted almost equal numbers of men and women. resulted in laws that discriminated against “foreign miners.” made considerable wealth for average miners because gold mining demanded no real investment of capital. hurt the development of san francisco because gold discoveries shifted interest to areas outside of town.

After world war one, how did the allied countries hope to keep germany from becoming too powerful again?