Who was the BIGGEST loser of the gold rush?

The Biggest Loser of the Gold Rush was likely the Native American populations whose lands were encroached upon and whose lives were significantly disrupted. As miners moved westward in search of gold, many Indigenous communities faced violence, loss of territory, and exposure to diseases brought by settlers. Additionally, the environmental degradation caused by mining activities further devastated their traditional ways of life. Overall, the Gold Rush led to severe consequences for Native Americans, overshadowing the wealth gained by miners and investors.