Living during the Dust Bowl was a challenging experience, with people contending with dirt-induced vision impairment and disorientation caused by powerful winds. When venturing outdoors, individuals had to safeguard their faces and shield their food while eating. Nevertheless, despite these hardships, numerous farmers migrated to the Southern Great Plains in the late 19th century enticed by its potential for wheat cultivation. Sadly, a devastating drought in the 1890s prompted some farmers to depart, although others opted to remain despite the severe conditions. Those who persevered endured for three years were eventually rewarded with 320 acres of land. These tenacious farmers achieved astonishing success with their wheat crops until the onset of the 1930s.
During the 1930s, an extremely destructive drought resulted in the complete destruction of wheat crops and caused severe dust storms that had a profound impact on farmers and their families. These challenging times were characterized by the occurrence of dust pneumonia, the need to cover faces and windows, and the indescribable terror of the storms. The true horror of the Dust Bowl cannot be expressed with a single word as no word can capture its magnitude. The primary cause behind these dust storms was a combination of grass devastation, excessive use of machinery, and insufficient rainfall. The initial factor that triggered the Dust Bowl was the destruction of grass.
The massive number of farmers in the Southern Great Plains caused a substantial amount of grass to be uprooted and used for farming. According to the Texas Sheepherder, grass is essential for our survival and the preservation of the earth. This quote accurately reflects why the destruction of grass was a main factor in causing the dust bowl. The quote is not metaphorical but instead a literal representation of how grass roots prevent soil erosion. However, with a significant reduction in grass, wind could easily lift and transport the exposed dirt, resulting in the phenomenon known as the dust bowl.
The southern region experienced a significant increase of 95 million acres in farmland over a period of 50 years. This extensive amount of soil played a major role in causing the Dust Bowl, as it resulted in the destruction of prairie grass and loosened soil that could easily be carried away by wind. The introduction of machines, particularly tractors, also greatly contributed to this phenomenon. With just one tractor, farmers were able to accomplish tasks equivalent to what ten horses could do, leading to significant time and cost savings. Consequently, farmers had more resources to acquire additional land, exacerbating the issue with grass.
The establishment of a new train in Boise City facilitated the transportation of wheat for farmers. This, along with the increasing reliance on machinery, led to the expansion of farming onto larger areas and contributed to triggering the Dust Bowl. The situation was further aggravated by a scarcity of rainfall. Inadequate precipitation levels, which usually averaged around 17 inches instead of the recommended 20 inches, had already posed challenges to farmers in the southern region due to an extended drought. As a result, crops could not thrive or survive in these dry conditions, leading to widespread devastation in farming communities.
Additionally, the absence of rainfall led to the aridity of the soil, facilitating its transport by the wind. The limited precipitation played a pivotal role in instigating the Dust Bowl as it resulted in crop failure and land desiccation. In summary, the primary factors that contributed to the Dust Bowl encompassed grass removal in the area, excessive reliance on machinery, and insufficient precipitation. The Dust Bowl remains a somber chapter in American history that we are resolute in avoiding any repetition thereof. It is imperative for us to acknowledge and comprehend these causes so that preemptive measures could have been implemented to avert such a catastrophe.
