![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Many circumstances exacerbated the effects of the drought, among them the Great Depression and economic overexpansion before the drought, poor land management practices, and the areal extent and duration of the drought. In addition, because of poverty and high unemployment, migrants added to local relief efforts, sometimes overburdening relief and health agencies. These newcomers were often in direct competition for jobs with longer-established residents, which created conflict between the groups. For example, millions of people migrated from the drought areas, often heading west, in search of work. These events occurred in such rapid succession that affected regions were not able to recover adequately before another drought began.Įffects of the Plains drought sent economic and social ripples throughout the country. Roosevelt Library Digital Archives)Īlthough the 1930s drought is often referred to as if it were one episode, there were at least 4 distinct drought events: 1930–31, 1934, 1936, and 1939–40 (Riebsame et al., 1991). A dust storm approaching Rolla, Kansas, May 6, 1935. Although records focus on other problems, the lack of precipitation would also have affected wildlife and plant life, and would have created water shortages for domestic needs. The resulting agricultural depression contributed to the Great Depression’s bank closures, business losses, increased unemployment, and other physical and emotional hardships. Many crops were damaged by deficient rainfall, high temperatures, and high winds, as well as insect infestations and dust storms that accompanied these conditions. The drought’s direct effect is most often remembered as agricultural. In the 1930s, drought covered virtually the entire Plains for almost a decade (Warrick, 1980). ![]()
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