Lesson 53 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPThe Dust Bowl and Its Causes
The Dust Bowl was a major environmental disaster in the 1930s that affected many farmers in the Great Plains.
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Connect the dots between past and present.
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Mind = Blown
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Then & Now
🕰️ History isn't really 'history' — it shapes today, every day.
The Dust Bowl was a major environmental disaster in the 1930s that affected many farmers in the Great Plains. It was caused by a combination of drought, poor farming practices, and high winds, which led to soil erosion. Without enough vegetation to hold the soil in place, strong winds would blow away the topsoil, creating huge dust storms. These storms made it hard for people to breathe and caused many families to leave their homes in search of better conditions.
Key Facts
The Dust Bowl occurred mainly in the 1930s.
Poor farming practices made the soil more vulnerable to erosion.
Dust storms during the Dust Bowl could reach as high as 8,000 feet.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What was one cause of the Dust Bowl?
Why this still matters
This shapes your daily life in ways you stopped noticing.
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