The Dust BowlThe Dust BowlBy Reuben, Hugh and ChrisBy Reuben, Hugh and Chris

What was it?What was it?

► It was a series of dust storms which damaged It was a series of dust storms which damaged American and Canadian lands during the American American and Canadian lands during the American Depression (1930s).Depression (1930s).

► It was caused by severe drought conditions, people It was caused by severe drought conditions, people were not able to grow cotton, corn or harvest their were not able to grow cotton, corn or harvest their crops.crops.

► During the drought soil dried out and became dust, During the drought soil dried out and became dust, blowing away eastwards in large black clouds.blowing away eastwards in large black clouds.

► Skies were blackened in cities such as Chicago.Skies were blackened in cities such as Chicago.► Most of the soil was lost in the Atlantic Ocean.Most of the soil was lost in the Atlantic Ocean.► People living within Texas, Oklahoma and surrounding People living within Texas, Oklahoma and surrounding

the Great Plains were left homeless.the Great Plains were left homeless.

Where Was It?Where Was It?

Damage caused by the Dust Damage caused by the Dust Bowl Bowl

► Many Americans migrated west looking for work.Many Americans migrated west looking for work.► Canadians fled to urban areas like Toronto.Canadians fled to urban areas like Toronto.► Some Canadians had to rely on Government in order to survive Some Canadians had to rely on Government in order to survive

because of drought and storms.because of drought and storms.► People living in Kansas and Oklahoma became ill and died due to dust People living in Kansas and Oklahoma became ill and died due to dust

pneumonia and the effects of malnutrition.pneumonia and the effects of malnutrition.► The agricultural market was unstable in the 1930s.The agricultural market was unstable in the 1930s.► On November 11On November 11thth 1983 a very strong dust storm stripped top soil from 1983 a very strong dust storm stripped top soil from

South Dakota farmlands in just one series of bad dust storms. Then South Dakota farmlands in just one series of bad dust storms. Then again on May 11again on May 11thth 1934 a strong, two-day dust storm removed much 1934 a strong, two-day dust storm removed much soil in one of the worst dust storms during the Dust Bowl.soil in one of the worst dust storms during the Dust Bowl.

► The dust clouds blew all the way to Chicago dumping the equivalent of The dust clouds blew all the way to Chicago dumping the equivalent of four pounds of debris on each person.four pounds of debris on each person.

► The storm then reached New York city, Washington DC, Boston and The storm then reached New York city, Washington DC, Boston and Buffalo.Buffalo.

► On April 14On April 14thth 1935, this is know as Black Sunday because of the dust 1935, this is know as Black Sunday because of the dust and turned day to night. and turned day to night.

AftermathAftermath► By 1940, 2.5 million people had moved from the Plain By 1940, 2.5 million people had moved from the Plain

states from the Dusty States.states from the Dusty States.► Many moved to California because they were forced Many moved to California because they were forced

to leave.to leave.► Migrants also left farms in Kansas, Texas and New Migrants also left farms in Kansas, Texas and New

Mexico but were referred to as “Okies”.Mexico but were referred to as “Okies”.► The US government was to form the Soil The US government was to form the Soil

Conservation Service which is now the Natural Conservation Service which is now the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

► This crisis was documented by authors, musicians This crisis was documented by authors, musicians and photographers at that time. They were able to and photographers at that time. They were able to capture the drastic impact of the storms.capture the drastic impact of the storms.

Connection to NovelConnection to Novel

► The Dust Bowl is connected to the novel, Roll of The Dust Bowl is connected to the novel, Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry because it was set in the Thunder Hear my Cry because it was set in the same era as The Dust Bowl and there are same era as The Dust Bowl and there are references to everything being dusty all the time references to everything being dusty all the time such as: such as:

► In the book their crops are all dry and terrible In the book their crops are all dry and terrible because of The Dust Bowl.because of The Dust Bowl.

► When they walk to school they are constantly When they walk to school they are constantly complaining about things being very dusty.complaining about things being very dusty.

► This could be around the start of The Dust Bowl.This could be around the start of The Dust Bowl.

Connections to 2007Connections to 2007► There were There were

droughts in droughts in AustraliaAustralia

► Recently, China Recently, China experienced a experienced a Dust BowlDust Bowl

THE ENDTHE END