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Dust Bowl Story
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Author: Lawrence Miller, Baltimore City College, Baltimore City Public School System
Grade Level: High
Duration: 1-2 periods
Overview:
Optimism and a "can-do" attitude are qualities associated with the so-called American character. In some circumstances, however, over-zealous enthusiasm could lead to economic and environmental catastrophe. Such was the case with the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Poor commercial coordination, over-farming, and, policy mistakes in Washington led to one of the worst episodes of the Great Depression -- not in the offices of Wall Street, but in the fields of the Southern plains, where unstoppable dust storms ruined the lives of thousands of families.

This lesson explores the causes, responses to, and consequences of the Dust Bowl in early twentieth century America.
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