Dust Bowl Beginning
Explain what the Dust Bowl was and describe when it occurred.
A major environmental disaster in the 1930s caused by drought and poor farming practices, leading to severe dust storms.
Describe what the Great Plains were like before settlers arrived.
Covered in deep-rooted grasses that protected the soil from erosion.
Explain how new farming technology contributed to the Dust Bowl.
Machines like tractors allowed farmers to overuse large areas of land.
Explain why Kansas was heavily affected by the Dust Bowl.
Heavy farming, dry conditions, and overplowing made Kansas highly affected.
Describe how farmers in Kansas were affected economically.
Loss of crops and income led to debt and farm loss.
Describe where the Dust Bowl took place and identify at least two states involved.
Took place in the Great Plains, including states like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Explain how westward expansion contributed to the Dust Bowl.
Settlers farmed the land and removed natural grasses, weakening the soil.
Describe why farmers took financial risks during this time period.
Farmers expected high profits and borrowed money to expand farms.
Describe what Kansas was like before large-scale farming began.
Covered in prairie grasses that protected the soil.
Explain what challenges families in Kansas faced during the Dust Bowl.
Families dealt with dust, illness, poverty, and stress.
Explain why the Great Plains were especially vulnerable to dust storms.
The region had dry soil and strong winds, and once grasses were removed, nothing held the soil in place.
Describe the purpose of the Homestead Act and how it impacted settlement.
Gave free land to settlers who agreed to farm it, increasing settlement.
Explain what happened when crop prices dropped after World War I.
Farmers lost income and continued overworking the land to survive.
Explain how World War I impacted farmers in Kansas.
Farmers increased wheat production to meet wartime demand.
Describe why some Kansas families chose to migrate west.
They left to find jobs and better living conditions.
Describe how the Dust Bowl was connected to the Great Depression
It occurred during the Great Depression, worsening economic hardship for farmers and families.
Explain why farmers increased crop production during World War I.
High demand and high prices during World War I encouraged more farming.
Describe the warning signs that showed the land was in trouble.
Dry soil, declining crop yields, and increasing erosion.
Describe how removing prairie grass affected the soil.
Soil became loose and easily blown away without grass roots.
Explain what conditions were like for families traveling west from Kansas.
Long, difficult travel with limited money and resources.
Explain why the Dust Bowl is still important to study today.
It shows the impact of human activity on the environment and has led to changes in farming and government policy.
Describe what overplowing is and how it affected the land.
Excessive plowing that removed natural vegetation and loosened soil.
Explain how drought contributed to the Dust Bowl.
Lack of rain dried out soil, making it easy for wind to carry it away.
Explain what happened during dust storms in Kansas and how they impacted daily life.
Dust storms darkened skies, damaged homes, and made breathing difficult.
Describe how the government helped Kansas farmers recover from the Dust Bowl.
Government programs promoted soil conservation and provided financial aid.