Soil erosion was a devastating result from the increase in farming activity in the Great Plains states. When coupled with a seven-year drought beginning in 1931, this erosion transformed grasslands which were once fertile into a desert-like region known as the Dust Bowl. Millions of Americans from the Great Plains states, such as Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, travelled to California, which, for numerous reasons, seemed like a promised land. They wanted to find work there, at any wages. These migrants were often met with scorn by California farmers and natives, which only made their dislocation and poverty even more unpleasant. most were only employed for a week at a time. However, they were treated quite well. Quotes like, "Go on out with the grain teams after dinner" tells us that they were being fed, "brightness showing through the windows of the bunk-house" shows us they had lodgings, and "the shout of men, playing, encouraging, jeering" tells us they had some time off. The more cautious of men could save much of their money as all they had to spend it on was themselves. Many cherished the dream that one day they would have a place of
Soil erosion was a devastating result from the increase in farming activity in the Great Plains states. When coupled with a seven-year drought beginning in 1931, this erosion transformed grasslands which were once fertile into a desert-like region known as the Dust Bowl. Millions of Americans from the Great Plains states, such as Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, travelled to California, which, for numerous reasons, seemed like a promised land. They wanted to find work there, at any wages. These migrants were often met with scorn by California farmers and natives, which only made their dislocation and poverty even more unpleasant. most were only employed for a week at a time. However, they were treated quite well. Quotes like, "Go on out with the grain teams after dinner" tells us that they were being fed, "brightness showing through the windows of the bunk-house" shows us they had lodgings, and "the shout of men, playing, encouraging, jeering" tells us they had some time off. The more cautious of men could save much of their money as all they had to spend it on was themselves. Many cherished the dream that one day they would have a place of