What Caused the Dust Bowl?
In the 1930’s the Great Depression had hit America. The great depression made many cities and small towns fale, but it affected those on the Southern Great Plains the most. This region has come to be known as the Dust Bowl. But what we’re trying to figure out is, what caused the Dust Bowl? In this essay I would like to tell you about what I think caused the Dust Bowl.
First off I would like to talk about how weather contributed to the creation of the Dust Bowl. The Great Plains region is known for its hot, dry summers and cold, windy winters. During the 1930s, however, this climate became even more extreme due to a prolonged drought that lasted nearly a decade. This lack of rainfall caused crops to wither and die, leaving soil exposed and vulnerable to erosion. In addition to the drought, high winds were also common in the Great Plains region. These winds picked up loose soil and created massive dust storms that could last for days at a time. The combination of drought and wind made it nearly impossible for farmers to grow crops or maintain healthy soil. You can find proof of this information in document E.
…show more content…
Agricultural practices did as well. Farmers had been using intensive farming techniques such as monoculture, overgrazing, and deep plowing to maximize their crop yields. These practices led to the depletion of soil nutrients, leaving it vulnerable to erosion by wind and water. Additionally, farmers had removed native grasses that held the soil together and replaced them with crops like wheat. When drought hit the region in the 1930’s, these unsustainable practices exacerbated its effects. The lack of rain caused crops to fail, leaving large areas of exposed soil vulnerable to wind erosion. As a result, massive dust storms swept across the Great Plains region for years afterward. You can find proof of this information in documents C, D, and