Summary: The causes of the Dust Bowl continue to be a contentious topic among historians. At the core of understanding the Dust Bowl is the question of whose fault it was. Was it the result of government policies that encouraged farmers to till land beyond what Mother Nature could bear, or is guilt to be laid at the feet of Mother Nature herself? These documents thrust students into a heated scholarly debate that has hardly abated since this catastrophe first visited our land.
Overarching Questions:
- ECONOMICS: How has technology (e.g., ships, canals, railroads, newspapers, telegraphs, radio, television, the internet and social media) spread ideas and influenced public opinion, the economy and/or the government? Did the changes strengthen or weaken democratic institutions?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.GeoHE.9.a: Determine how agricultural practices, overproduction, and the Dust Bowl intensified the worsening economic situation during the Great Depression.
- 6.1.12.HistoryCC.9.a: Analyze how the actions and policies of the United States government contributed to the Great Depression.
Link to Lesson: The Dust Bowl | Digital Inquiry Group