The Dust Bowl in Oklahoma The Dust Bowl in Oklahoma HistoryHistory

““The Dirty 30’s”The Dirty 30’s”

Drought and Dust StormsDrought and Dust Storms

Map of the Dust BowlMap of the Dust Bowl

Impact on OklahomaImpact on Oklahoma

Nothing has helped shape modern Nothing has helped shape modern Oklahoma since 1907 than the experience Oklahoma since 1907 than the experience we had as a state and people during the we had as a state and people during the 1930’s.1930’s.

Causes of the Dust BowlCauses of the Dust Bowl

Extreme drought during the mid1930’s Extreme drought during the mid1930’s (1936-37 parts of the panhandle receive NO (1936-37 parts of the panhandle receive NO rainfall)rainfall)

Dust Storms (Black Sunday April 14,1935)Dust Storms (Black Sunday April 14,1935)

Guymon experienced 34 in first 3 months Guymon experienced 34 in first 3 months

of 1938.of 1938. The Great Plow Up : Poor farming and The Great Plow Up : Poor farming and

conservation practices in the 1920’s conservation practices in the 1920’s (Plowing all acreage up to plant wheat)(Plowing all acreage up to plant wheat)

Dust StormsDust Storms

Dust Bowl PhotosDust Bowl Photos

Dust Bowl photosDust Bowl photos

Dust Bowl photosDust Bowl photos

Effects of the Dust BowlEffects of the Dust Bowl

50% of Oklahoma farms and ranches were 50% of Oklahoma farms and ranches were lostlost

About 300,000 Oklahoman’s left the state About 300,000 Oklahoman’s left the state (Okies moving especially to CA)(Okies moving especially to CA)

““Okie” image of Oklahoma throughout the Okie” image of Oklahoma throughout the U.S. is createdU.S. is created

Grapes of Wrath/John SteinbeckGrapes of Wrath/John Steinbeck

Lesson LearnedLesson Learned

Do not mess with the nature and what is Do not mess with the nature and what is natural to a geographic area.natural to a geographic area.

Mix crops, rotate tilling, and always keep Mix crops, rotate tilling, and always keep some land in native grass.some land in native grass.

Contour farming- terracing fields to hold Contour farming- terracing fields to hold moisture and topsoil.moisture and topsoil.

Be humble and respect the land.Be humble and respect the land. If it makes money fast, it is not always the If it makes money fast, it is not always the

best.best.

The Last ChapterThe Last Chapter

Like the …Like the …Trail of TearsTrail of TearsTulsa Race RiotTulsa Race RiotThe OKC BombingThe OKC Bombing

*The Dust Bowl is the story of tragedy *The Dust Bowl is the story of tragedy followed by followed by ResiliencyResiliency, , RecoveryRecovery, , RejuvenationRejuvenation and the and the DeterminationDetermination of of OKLAHOMANS. OKLAHOMANS.