1. An Environmental Disaster in the Midst of the Great Depression
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s
An Environmental Disaster in the Midst of the Great Depression

2. Background The Great Plains World War I
Dry grasslands between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains
Mostly used for cattle ranching and grains
World War I
Demand for food leads to extensive over-farming of land

4. The Drought
In 1931, rainfall amounts begin to drop and summer temperatures are often above 100°
Drought conditions worsen throughout decade, normal rainfall does not return until 1939

5. The Storms Black Blizzards
Without the prairie grass to keep the dirt in place, the fine topsoil of the Great Plains began to blow away

6. The Storms

7. The Storms

8. The Dust Bowl

9. Black Sunday

10. Black Sunday April 14, 1935 20 storms occur in Dust Bowl region
Day turns into night

11. Effects on Farmers No viable crops No income Foreclosures
Health problems

12. Displacement Migrants Riding the Rails “Okies”
Looking for farms out West
Riding the Rails
“Hobos”
Single men looking for work

13. New Deal Approaches Emergency Farm Mortgage Act (1933)
Farm Credit Act (1933)
Soil Conservation Service (1935)
Shelterbelt Program (1937)

14. Legacy Over 300,000 people left Great Plains - mostly for west coast
Plains continue to be an environmentally sensitive area
Dust Bowl refugees meet with hardship and mistrust in new homes
US Government sees importance of preventing environmental disasters