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The Homestead Act
Congress passed the Homestead Act which encouraged Western migration by providing settlers with 160 acres of public land. In exchange, homesteaders paid a small filling fee and were required to complete 5 years of continuous residence before receiving full ownership of the land. -
The Start of the Dust Bowl
When people migrated west due to the Homestead Act, framers over-farmed and over-grazed the land during a decade long drought. This set the seen for the Dust Bowl. -
1932 Dust Storms
In 1932, there was 14 dust storms reported. -
1933 Dust Storms
In 1933, there was 38 reported dust storms. -
"Black Blizzard"
The Black Blizzard was one of the worst dust storms during the Dust Bowl. -
The Decade-Long Drought
The drought affected 27 states and more then 75% of the country. (75% of the country was rainless). -
"Black Sunday Dust Storm"
"Suddenly there appeared on the northern horizon a black blizzard, moving toward them; there was no sound, no wind, nothing but an immense 'boogery' cloud." -Donald Worster. -
The Soil Conservation Act of 1935
The Soil Conservation Act of 1935 was passed to control floods, prevent destruction of reservoirs and maintain the rivers and harbors, protect public health and public lands, and relieve unemployment. -
Longest Span of Winds
During 1935, for 27 days and nights the wind blew. This was the longest stretch of wind during the Dust Bowl. -
Farming Methods
The Government paid farmers $1 an acre for practicing the new conservational farming methods. -
Conservation Efforts
The conservation efforts reduced the blowing soil by 65% by planting 200 million trees from Canada to Texas to break the wind and hold water in the ground. -
The End of the Dust Bowl
Rain returned in 1939 to end the decade long drought and end the horrors of the Dust Bowl.
