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there was a land boom
- raised wheat prices
- war in Europe
- lots of rain over years
- generous federal farm policies -
- southeastern plains (US) converted into wheat farms
- 5.2 million acres of grassland cleared= wheat fields
- newcomers quick to move in and towns quickly grew
-
no rain for 4 years -
- the stock market crashed
- banks failed
- looked for work outside
-
- many farmers lose their farms
- drought
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3.5 million people moved -
- drought that lasts 8 years
- rain stopped
- crops died
- dry conditions and winds created dust and dirt storms
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in one year 86,000 migrated to California -
storms were coming frequently -
500,000 Americans were left homeless