Historical Context of the Grapes of Wrath

Economics Previous to 1930s Westward railroads brought settlers to the prairie grasslands once the grazing land of the buffalo herds. Indians (hunters) are displaced by ranchers and eventually by homestead farmers. As more land is turned to farmland, the native grass is plowed up and removed.

Initially, farmers did well Initially, farmers did well. During WWI prices of wheat and corn soared due to increased demand for exports to Europe. Farms expanded. Farmers buy more land and farm equipment.

After WWI ends, demand European demand for wheat and corn declines and price of corn and wheat plummets. The depression for farmers predates the crash of 1929. After the crash, the nation is plunged into a depression which worsens situation for the farmers.

Weather There had been plentiful rain in the area from the turn of the century through 1920s. But this was really uncharacteristic for that region. 1931 marked the beginning of a 6 year drought. Grassland native to the area had largely been replaced by farmland. Due to the drought, crops died and there was nothing to hold down the earth. The dry earth turned to dust. Winds sweeping across the plains literally blew the earth away.

Dust storms plagued the region in 1933 and 1934 Dust storms plagued the region in 1933 and 1934. Dust blew as far east as New York and Philadelphia. The worst storm was on Sunday, April 14, 1935 (Black Sunday). Black Clouds hid the sun. Temperatures dropped 50 degrees in some places.

Foreclosure Leads to Migration Gradually more and more farmers lose their farms. Landlords are forced to displace tenant farmers. Banks own too many farms and need cash. They tractor the land and force out all residents.

Thousands of displaced families head to the “promised land”, California. One reason for this mass migration was that large scale growers in California sent out thousands of flyers and leaflets to Oklahoma and surrounding areas advertising availability of work, the desirable living and working conditions and good pay.

Between one half million and one million people journey to California between 1933 and 1940 – most via Route 66.

Disillusionment In California, the farmers face hostility and exploitation. There are not enough jobs, wages are low, most work is seasonal and there are poor living accomodations. In California, large corporate growers makeup 10% of the growers, but that 10% produces 50% of the crops. Laborers attempt to organize, but this is a seen as a threat to powerful growers who react with violence.

Federal Camps Taking office in 1933, FDR launched a whole agenda of federal programs to combat the depression including FSA (Farm Security Administration). The FSA set up camps for migrant workers with basic necessities. These camps were to be temporary, but growers failed to build permanent accomodations.

End of the Depression Ultimately, what ended the desperate situation faced by the migrant workers in California was the beginning of WWII with the demand for man power that the war effort initiated.

Images of the Dust Bowl