The Dust Bowl. what was it like?

Essay by rblbHigh School, 10th gradeA+, January 2004

download word file, 3 pages 4.0

In 1931, the farmers of the Southern Plains were about to go through one of the most dangerous and striking environmental changes of all time. This deadly environmental change would last all the way up to 1939, and be known as the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl brought everlasting effects on the southern plain farmers and the nation as a whole. The Dust Bowl and its consequences had a dramatic effect on peoples attitudes toward the environment.

The Dust Bowl resulted in long term effects towards the Southern Plain farmers and their families. Like many tragedies, the Dust Bowl had its causes. A lack of moisture, high winds, and the misuse of farmland led to this devastation. Lack of moisture caused the air and the soil to become very dry. The high wind speeds would result in erosion. The wind blew all the dry topsoil into the air. The misuse of farm land caused the land to be vunerable to such a disaster.

It did not take long before all smooth dry topsoil was blown away, leaving behind rough hard farmland. This farmland was impossible to grow and harvest crops on. At first there were just small whirlwinds. But everyday the farmers noticed that they were getting bigger. Farmers did not pay attention to this small threat. Farmers had no idea that the winds would soon destroy all that they worked so hard to build. Then on one hot summer day in 1931 the Dust Bowl struck, leaving behind clouds of dust. Breathing got to be so difficult that people would have to use cloths to cover their faces. Soon the Red Cross distributed masks to make breathing easier. Many animals were found dead with their bodies filled with two inches of dust. People would get phenomena from breathing...