1. The Great Depression and Dust Bowl
Essential Questions:
Analyze the political, economic, and social impact of the Great Depression on Texas
Explain how the Dust Bowl affected the political, economic, and social development of Texas
Dorothea Lange’s haunting portrait of a migrant worker cradling her two young children.

2. The Great Depression Begins
Herbert Hoover became President of the U.S. in 1929.
He had been in office for only 7 months when Wall Street stock market prices fell sharply—culminated on Oct. 29, aka “Black Tuesday”.

3. Stock Market Crash of 1929
Many investors, hoping to make quick fortunes, drove up the price of stock.
Some investors borrowed money heavily to buy stocks, and when stock prices fell, those investors and the banks that loaned them money were wiped out.

4. The Great Depression Expands Nationwide
Factories closed
Widespread unemployment
Low morale
Hoover greatly underestimated the severity of the crisis and believed that relief efforts should begin at the state and city levels.
“Hoovervilles” emerge—shanty towns built by homeless people

5. Too Much Oil Ross Sterling elected as governor in 1930
Wildcatter, Columbus Marion “Dad” Joiner, drilled an oil well in northern Rusk County.
First well of the East Texas Oil Field; largest ever at the time
Provided jobs for farmers and timber workers

6. Oil Overproduction
Overproduction caused oil prices to drastically drop.
TRC issued an order for operators to limit production, but they still pump oil anyway
Governor Sterling declared martial law and sent Texas National Guard to enforce it
oil prices stabilize

7. Crisis for Cotton Farmers
1920s – Price of cotton declines
1930s – Stored cotton created large surpluses and drops price even lower
Texas Dep’t. of Agriculture urged farmers to reduce number of acres planted in cotton.

8. Wheat Overproduction
After World War I, when wheat prices were high, farmers tried to earn more money by planting more crops.
But, during the 1920s, wheat prices dropped drastically from overproduction.

9. Dust Storms Blanket the High Plains
Farmers plowed under the grasses of the plains to plant crops, but nothing could hold the soil down from strong winds.
A severe drought occurred in the 1930s and dust storms made the area into a “Dust Bowl”.

14. Lasted for seven years
Generally covered a five-state area: Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas
Motorists often could not see 20 feet down the street
People became ill from lung diseases
Many families lost their farms because of the difficult economic times