Okies essays

Okies essays When the stock market crashed in 1929, it only exacerbated the situation of many farmers. Banks began to collect up loans owned to them from farmers, and soon lost their farms due to meager earnings. Also, competition arose because of the development of the tractor. Farmers who had tractors almost obliterated those without one, and usually those farmers ended up buying their farm for more room. In effect, agricultural working increased to a 30% unemployment rate. With a lack of money farmers began to increase farming activity. Since knowledge of soil turning wasnt yet established, the once rich soil of the farmers lost its nutrients and its ability to retain moisture. Added to this devastation, 1931 was the start of a soon to be 7 year drought in which the sun endlessly just baked on the soil. Not before long, dust storms began and farms were literally blown away. Due to hazardous and non-lucrative farming, farmers picked up their few belongings and either moved to a city or made a long journey to California in hopes for work and a better life. Many chose to go to California because of the states mild climate, long growing season, and a diversity of crops with staggered planting and harvesting cycles. These conditions seemed ideal to many hopeful farmers. Although it wouldnt be difficult to make a journey nowadays, in the past it was very arduous, especially if you are very poor. Hundreds of miles away from California, farmers, turned hoboes were hopping on trains illegally to try to get as close as they could to California. Many had begged near and in trains and scoured for food. Railroad bulls as these supposed train security guards were called, tried to keep hoboes off trains. Their effort resulted in at least 6,500 hoboes killed in less than a year. They wanted to make sure train only had paying customers, and if not, it could be your last ride, ever. ...