The Dust Bowl

1. The Dust Bowl

2. In 1931… • Little rain fell • Temperatures reached record highs! • These conditions ruined the farmers’ crops.

3. What Happened to the Land? • The farmers ripped out all the grass. • There was nothing to hold the soil in place. • Strong winds blew the dirt .

4. Black Blizzard • The blowing dirt created conditions much like a blizzard of snow. • Instead of being white, the blizzards were black.

5. Where did this Happen? • This happened in the Midwest, from Montana to Texas

6. Where did the Farmers go? • One out of every four farmers went to California. • They thought they would find a better life there.

7. What was it like in California when the Farmers arrived? • The conditions in California were terrible. • It was overcrowded • Everyone was poor and homeless • Many lived in Hoovervilles • Some, who were lucky to find work earned a dollar a day!

8. What Happened to the Farmers that Stayed? • Farmers and their families spent much of their time cleaning dust and dirt. • It was everywhere!

9. Why wasn’t anyone helping these Farmers? • The government, in Washington did not realize how bad the conditions were in the “Dust Bowl” (midwest) • Until………

10. May 1934 • The worst black blizzard ever occurred • It was non-stop for two days! • It blew 300 million tons of dust • It traveled all the way to Washington D.C.!

11. Hugh BennettThe Father of Soil Conservation • Tried to convince the country that soil erosion was a serious problem. • Stalled meeting with Congress • Knew dust storm was on the way • Finally got Congress to listen!!!!!!

12. Government Help! Shelterbelt Program • Passed by Congress • Aided the farmers • Set up wind blocks • Planted trees to block the wind

13. More Government Help… The Soil Erosion Service by Hugh Bennett (1935) • Created to repair the destruction • Members of the service taught farmers a better way to plow to prevent soil erosion • Ruined acres were restored!