A Review Of The Book “Dust Bowl” By Donald Worster

Donald Worster’s book “Dust Bowl in the Southern Plains: The 1930s” offers an interesting look at the United States’s Great Depression-era plains. Worster discusses the devastating effects of major dust storms on people during that time. Five states were most affected by the Dust Bowl: Texas, Oklahoma Kansas Colorado New Mexico. Donald Worster discusses in detail the responses of each region to dust storms, as well as any possible solutions.

The book opens with the dark outlook for the United States. The Great Depression ravaged the country. The dustbowl follows. One type of dust storm was called “sand blows” while another was called “black blizzards.” Kansas is the result. Dust storms that swept through the region were killing crops and inflicting severe illness on those who were caught in their dusty winds. Dust storms are believed to cause new forms of pneumonia. Volunteers helped make dust masks for people who were exposed to dust. The Dust Bowl presented a significant challenge for Kansas residents, as well as a test of their will. Worster now turns to the Okies & Exodusters. The Okies were exodusters and refugees who fled the Dust Bowl-affected areas. These people fled the destruction of their farmland and began to move west. The number of people moving from the farms to seek work increased dramatically. Also, droughts were in effect. Many of the “Drought Survivors”, fled too. It is clear that the Exodusters and Okies fled from such severe effects. There were many responses to dust storms in southern plains. Some people fled in search of better opportunities, as we mentioned earlier. Some people stayed put and tried to survive whatever was happening. Some thought the harsh weather was a test for those who did not leave. They believed that the Dust Bowl was a drought. Worster provides some background on the geography of southern plains. Prehistoric wind erosion caused soil patterns. The land is subject to frequent droughts because it doesn’t get as much rain in the south. It is said that the weather in the plains can be unpredictable. It has extremes such as heat and cold. Floods and droughts. Cyclones and blizzards are all possible. A dust bowl seems more likely with such wild conditions. The work contains more history. Apache Indians once called the plains home. Their complete agricultural economy is illustrated by their hunt for buffalo. The Apaches were able to live a simpler life when they acquired horses. They took advantage of the land, adjusted to its natural order and exercised restraint when necessary. The Apache, like other Plains Indians, saw their lives end as the United States expanded onto its land. The farming methods improved in the years prior to the Dust Bowl. One such technique is called “dry agriculture.” This was to ensure that farmers didn’t have to depend on more cattle or grass for their work. The Enlarged Homestead Act was passed by Congress to help farmers. It gave each settler 320 acres. Despite all the help, it is possible that the Dust Bowl was caused by increased settlement. The invention of the machine was another important technique. The machine revolutionized farming. This was the birth of the wheat factory. It also gave rise to the idea that one crop could be grown. The Dust Bowl in Oklahoma is the setting for the book. The people in Cimarron County try their best to make the most of the dire circumstances. Families who didn’t leave their homes would sell the livestock they had to survive. They also collected driftwood from nearby rivers. Others would create illegal stills to make whisky. Cimarron County’s families still relied on cattle sales. A drought also made it difficult for farmers to find enough food for their animals. Oklahomans had the difficult task of rationing their food in order to survive. Due to the collapse of crops, Oklahoman families were forced to rely upon milk products that could be bought in the town to purchase other goods. The chickens were valuable because they could produce eggs to be consumed and sold. The tail of the sow became an important part of their lives. Each sow that was killed was taken apart and divided into cans, which were then given to the citizens. As a result, government relief was an essential necessity. The drought and depression forced farmers to choose wheat for their crop choice. Wheat was an attractive crop because of its ability to thrive in harsh conditions. The return on investment for wheat was higher than other crops. This is illustrated by Worster on page 151.

The chart shows how wheat saw a jump in market value in comparison to other crops. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal is introduced to help people get by. Roosevelt established the National Resources Planning Board as a way to end the crisis. To survive the terrible conditions on the plains, a “New Deal Conservation” was needed. “It was important to recognize fundamental institutions like capitalism, industrial agriculture, and factory farms,” the leaders said. This conservation plan was more effective than the Progressive Era’s first. The New Deal was a program that helped the plains. One person tried to pinpoint the problem with land use. Lewis Gray believed that most of America’s land problems were the result of unrestrained capitalism (Worster, 189). Gray said that land planning would allow Americans to find a compromise between socialism and laissez-faire capitalism. Gray’s plan included multiple steps. The final step was grassroots collaborative planning. Gray was unable, unfortunately, to execute the plan. The board was first introduced to ecology by the Dust Bowl. They all agreed that economic growth has limits. They also learned that nature is not perfect, which made conservation more crucial. The Dust Bowl was eventually solved by conserving to “reach traditional expanding aims”. The nation was devastated by the Dust Bowl’s terrible storms. During the Great Depression, people were trying to find solutions for this terrible weather. Donald Worster does a great job explaining the Dust Bowl’s impact on the Plains and farmers. The Dust Bowl was very intense and the pictures in this book are a great representation of it. This book should be read. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Dust Bowl.

The Golden State Of America

California, also known as The Golden State, is a place of rich geography and human diversity. Many factors have shaped America’s history, including its most populous state. California wasn’t perfect but always did the right thing for its citizens. California’s turbulent history was not without its ugly and corrupt past. California is unique because of its diversity and uniqueness.

American businessmen Leland Stanisland, Collis P. Hunterington, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker are most well-known for their work on the first American Transcontinental Railroad. It had a tremendous impact on California. There were many benefits to the Railroad, such as creating jobs and faster and more efficient travel. They were needed by the citizens and made it possible. Without them, there would be no railroad or trade. They were heroes or villains depending on your opinion, but The Big Four did many good things for society. For example, they helped to build schools and parks. The Transcontinental Railroad helped in the development of trade, and brought settlers, faster transportation/travel, and population growth. The railroad can still be used today to transport goods or passengers. It has also changed how transportation works. Their ultimate goal, however, was to see California thrive. That is exactly what they achieved. California’s Gold Rush was a pivotal event in the country’s rich past. The Gold Rush had a positive and negative impact on many people. It was hard to find gold during the gold rush. People from all over the globe came to California to find opportunity. California’s diversity was due to its Gold Rush. Although many people wanted to become wealthy quickly, the majority were unsuccessful. But the Gold Rush played an important role in shaping the economy, business, made an everlasting impact on industrial/agricultural development, and the development of key cities such as San Francisco. People came over to seek gold in the gold rush, but they were instead able to find a new home.

The U.S. is not an easy place to live for Asians or Japanese Americans. All Asian immigrants were subject to racism, economic burden, injustice, and bigotry. The U.S. allowed immigrants to work on farms and mines. Whites were resentful that they had to accept lower wages. The U.S. War Department believed that Japanese Americans might be traitors and spies, even though there was no tangible evidence. Because of his hostility to Japanese Americans, the U.S. government rounded him up and sent him to prison camps with 120,000 Japanese Americans, citizens, and aliens. All the Japanese were sent home and relocated to their respective countries. This caused hatred and racism. Although the concentration camps did not atrociously inflict as many as the Concentration camps, the history of the country’s respect for cultural differences and civil rights is still a disgraceful one. Learn from the mistakes of the past to realize that patriotism can only be achieved by working for a society that promotes “liberty, justice, and equality for all”.

California has had its own themes, such as the Big Four and the Gold Rush. California has been through many changes, and although I disagree with some of these events, I still believe that California is a great place.

The Importance Of History

How is history defined?

Many factors are important that point to the conclusion: History is only an interpretation. We can only know what was written or recorded in history. The only true historical record is the one that the witness to the event wrote or said. This is called firsthand. But historians can only guess and then write about the history because there is only so much that has been recorded. All history books are interpretations of actual events.

Another reason historians are able to write only a few facts is that they have to interpret them. The actual information is often excluded. Interpretation also includes a historian’s opinion on what is and is not important. The account of the actual event cannot be complete if it leaves out any facts. Contrary to popular belief, a historian would never sell a book that contains all of the facts. Last, interpretations of all history are given by books. Many books are based in history. Some may have biases. A Republican author may not choose to focus on the Republican side of politics in a book about politics. However, it may be subconsciously biased. Biased books are those that only one view is taken into account. This book is not reliable.

We shouldn’t look up the definitions of things just because they are there. Because dictionary definitions are also written in human hands, they can also be misinterpreted. A dictionary can also be used as a reference tool. It is not enough to look at things from one perspective. Many perspectives should be collected and shared.

Historical writers may also look for bias in the author. Another useful technique historians might use is to read and research multiple sources. Writing history can be made more interesting by using multiple perspectives. Reading history from multiple sources can give you a better understanding of the events. This will prevent historians from being biased. Another advantage to reading multiple sources is the ability to form a more solid opinion after having read different perspectives. Although reading multiple sources can take more time, bias will not be an issue.

History should not be interpreted. Instead, it should be a quest for truth. History is like a mysterious puzzle that has many pieces missing. Interpretations are simply what others imagine the missing pieces to be. A historian’s ultimate goal is to uncover the truth, or at least the remaining pieces. This monumental task is impossible to accomplish by one person.

Understanding History is Vital

Understanding the past can help you to understand today’s world. My study of the history education helped me understand how culture affects education. It made me see the reasons for certain things and gave me hope that we could change them. It is essential that students understand the world in which they live and how it has changed over time. The past influences the present and future events that a person experiences. It is impossible to understand the history of your country and avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Young people need to be able to comprehend history.

Knowing the history of education and where it is going to lead me to ways I can improve my education. It makes me a better person.

Because we are the past, history is significant. We are the sum of all events that have occurred to us, good and bad. This sum product guides us in our present actions. This applies to everyone. It is only through studying our past that we can truly understand ourselves and the circumstances that led us to where we are today. In the same way, understanding others’ pasts is key to understanding them. Understanding their past will help us to make better decisions when dealing with them. Consider how you treat others based on your relationship with them. Diplomacy is the same for all countries.

History has the power to teach and apply knowledge in real-life situations. Education is rich in historical twists and turns. They must be understood first.

These include androgogy in the case of adulys or pedagogy in the case of young people. Both styles are historical and can be discussed.

History reveals how people respond to crisis situations. It also tells us about the personality types that are most dangerous for certain kinds of jobs, as well as the dangers involved in war and which systems of government work.