American History Tellers
The Great Depression - Dust | 4
Mar 13, 2019
The podcast explores the devastating dust storms during the Great Depression and the challenges faced by farmers. A dramatic turning point occurred when a dust storm descended upon a Congressional hearing. It also discusses the migration of farmers to California in search of better opportunities.
40:02
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Quick takeaways
- Dust storms during the Great Depression caused immense damage to crops and livestock, pushing farmers to abandon their land and seek new opportunities elsewhere.
- Hugh Hammond Bennett, a soil scientist, played a crucial role in addressing soil erosion caused by poor farming practices, leading to the establishment of the Soil Conservation Act.
Deep dives
The Devastation of the Dust Storms
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, a decade-long drought combined with poor farming practices and led to immense dust storms in the Great Plains. The dust storms ravaged thousands of square miles and caused widespread damage, impacting both crops and livestock. Livestock died from suffocation or starvation, and people endured the painful and blinding effects of the dust. The dust storms became an iconic symbol of the environmental disaster and the hardships faced by farmers, pushing many to abandon their farms and seek new opportunities elsewhere.
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