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Severe droughts start to occur, which causes millions of crops to die. These droughts cause dust to get in the air, polluting it.
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The number of dust storms dramatically increased. In 1932, there were 14. In 1933, there were 38.
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There were about 6 million young pigs killed in an effort to stabilize prices. This act would lead to the creation of the Federal Surplus Relief Corporation, which would divert agricultural commodities to relief organizations.
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The dust storms got even worse. Over 75% of the United States was covered in dust storms. 27 states were severely affected in business and agriculture.
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By this time, there were major losses to the United States and its farming industry. 35 Million acres of land was destroyed and 100 Million acres of land had completely lost all of its topsoil.
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Efforts were starting to be made to fix the ruined land in the United States. One of these efforts was the Taylor Grazing Act. These efforts helped to cure the land ruined by the dust and overuse.
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, which provided $525 million for drought relief. This act also gave jobs to 8.5 million people in the United States.
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The president, Franklin D. Roosevelt hosted a meeting with the general public. During the meeting, he said “I see one-third of the nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished… the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
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Many trees were planted, resulting in a 65% reduction in soil blowing around in the air. The trees helped, but they still did not fix the whole drought. The lands were still dry, and there was still dust in the air.
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In 1939, it finally rained. This caused the soil to moisten up again and help crops grow. The rain marked the end of the Dust Bowl Period. The US would soon be out of the Great Depression and be prepared for World War II.