1. The Grapes of Wrath: Background and Inspiration Library of Congress Slideshow Presentation ETE 100 02 Stephanie Whaley November 23 rd, 2009

2. The Grapes of Wrath: Background and Inspiration

3. The Dust Bowl During the Great Depression, a great drought swept over the Great Plains Many people had moved to the Great Plains to farm The drought killed many crops and winds stirred up dirt from the dry land, thus giving it the name the “Dust Bowl”.

4. With little chance of making a profit, many people abandoned their farms and migrated west The Great Migration led people to “Californy” or California Farmers took up jobs as migrant workers, worker crops for a small profit to pay for shelter and food for their family

5. Migrant Workers

6. Finding out More What led up to the Dust Bowl and Great Migration west? Good thing you asked! The Depression was a time of great financial loss. Find out what happened here!here

7. The Novel Written in 1939 by John Steinbeck Follows The Joad family and Jim Casey on their migration to California On their trip they meet many families in the same position as they are.

8. Upon the Joad’s arrival in California, they are met with an overabundance of labor Without work, they are unable to provide basic living necessities Unions begin to form and strikes for better wages turn violent Discussion Question: In a group of 3, discuss the possible ramifications of mass migration westward

9. John Steinbeck Born in Salinas, California on February 27, 1902 Went to Stanford and left without a degree Wrote Of Mice and Men as well as The Grapes of Wrath, inspiring change for the working class

10. Later Life In dealing with the national labor force issues, he won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 He died at the age of 66 due to Coronary Disease (He was a constant smoker)

11. Societal Impact of the novel The Grapes of Wrath helped to uncover and exploit the Depression era Inspired laws to help create better wages and working conditions for the working class

12. Work Cited (1940). [Online video]. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress (AFC 1985/001). Bryant, J. (1940). Arizona. [Online sound recording]. Firebaugh FSA Camp,CA. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress (AFC 1985/001). (1962). [Image of painting]. Washington D.C., United States; Library of Congress. Retrieved November 23, 2009 (1962). [Online video]. Retrieved November 23, 2009 Biglow (Photographer). (1911). La Jara, Colorado, migrant workers. [Image of photograph]. Washington D.C., United States; Library of Congress. Retrieved November 23, 2009 (1911). [Online video]. Retrieved November 23, 2009 Lange, D. (Photographer). (1936). Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-two. Nipomo, California. [Image of photograph]. Washington D.C., United States; Library of Congress. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress. (1936). [Online video]. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress. Lange, D. (Photographer). (1935). Oklahoma dust bowl refugees. San Fernando, California. [Image of photograph]. Washington D.C., United States; Library of Congress. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress. (1935). [Online video]. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress. The Dust Bowl During the Great Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Library of Congress.