Prior to the 1930’s, many farms were practicing extensive farming, but not practicing crop rotation (Alchin). The extensive farming …show more content…
This all started because of the crash of Wall Street which occurred in 1929 (Casey 2). The crash had demolished the United States economy which had repercussions that rippled throughout the U.S. More than 15 million people were unemployed in 1933 (Casey 3). With the unemployment, people were shocked with the rapid changes that they needed to adapt to. For example, rural populations moved to urban centers in hopes of more opportunities for more salary and new homes (US History). Taking the risk of leaving home was very necessary because the people who lived in the rural areas were also facing the struggles of the dust bowl. The Great Depression had thousands of families on the streets (PBS). These families consisted of many types of people; Immigrants, natives who lived, but lost their homes, and migrants from rural areas. When these families went through this dramatic change, many families who were used to sanitation and cleanliness were forced to live in filthy conditions. The poverty-stricken families with low earning wages would go to charity offices or wait in bread lines (Brunts/Kahn 7). The people in these lines worked their hardest to keep their families alive and nourished enough to work. The women with jobs were the first to be laid off (US History). With all the misfortune of the people and the constant struggle to get …show more content…
From actual dirt storms to dirty crimes to dirty living conditions, dirtiness perfectly represents the 1930’s. Understanding what happened in the thirties can help us to learn from our mistakes. As a nation, we can look back on our past and know how to avoid distress and economic welfare. We can see how in the 1930’s, times were depressing and dirty, and we can at least try not to fall down that rabbit hole again. In conclusion, the 1930’s was simply a time of