The Dust Bowl

In 1931…

• Little rain fell• Temperatures reached

record highs!• These conditions

ruined the farmers’ crops.

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 .

Black Blizzard

• The blowing dirt created conditions much like a blizzard of snow.

• Instead of being white, the blizzards were black.

Where did this Happen?

• This happened in the Midwest, from Montana to Texas

                                       

                     

Where did the Farmers go?

• One out of every four farmers went to California.

• They thought they would find a better life there.

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!

What Happened to the Farmers that Stayed?

• Farmers and their families spent much of their time cleaning dust and dirt.

• It was everywhere!

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………

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.!

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!!!!!!

Government Help!

Shelterbelt Program• Passed by Congress• Aided the farmers• Set up wind blocks• Planted trees to block

the wind

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!