Question

How did many plains farmers respond to the challenges they faced during dust bowl conditions? responses they formed cooperatives to share equipment. they formed cooperatives to share equipment. they left for california in hopes of starting a new life. they left for california in hopes of starting a new life. they marched on washington in hopes of federal assistance. they marched on washington in hopes of federal assistance. they began using more productive farming techniques.

Answer 1

Farmers faced with Dust Bowl conditions initially responded by forming cooperatives and seeking political action, but as their situation worsened, a significant number migrated west to California in search of employment.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the Dust Bowl conditions of the 1930s, many plains farmers faced severe challenges such as drought and economic hardship. As a result, they tried various survival strategies. Initially, they formed cooperatives to share equipment and aimed to exert collective pressure on political leaders, much like early labor unions, for assistance and substantive change. However, as the situation deteriorated, with dust storms ravaging their lands and the Great Depression deepening, many farmers were forced to migrate. Over 400,000 left the Great Plains, most heading toward California in hopes of finding work. Instead of a promise, they found that even in the West, jobs were scarce, and their arrival caused social tensions with existing communities.

Answer 2

The correct responses are:

- Forming cooperatives to share equipment was a common response to economic challenges.

- Leaving for California in hopes of starting a new life was another response as farmers sought better opportunities elsewhere.

- Marching on Washington in hopes of federal assistance did occur, although it was not the only response.

- Adopting more productive farming techniques was also a strategy employed by some farmers to address the challenges of the Dust Bowl conditions.

Many plains farmers responded to the challenges they faced during the Dust Bowl conditions in a variety of ways. Let's break down their responses step by step:

1. Forming Cooperatives to Share Equipment:

- Many farmers in the Dust Bowl region faced economic hardships due to crop failures and soil erosion.

- To cope with this, they formed cooperatives, which are organizations where farmers pool their resources and equipment.

- This allowed them to share the cost of expensive machinery and tools, making it more affordable for individual farmers.

2. Leaving for California in Hopes of Starting a New Life:

- As the Dust Bowl conditions persisted and made farming nearly impossible, a significant number of farmers and their families decided to leave the region.

- They headed to California in search of better economic opportunities and the hope of starting a new life, often working as migrant laborers in agriculture.

3. Marching on Washington in Hopes of Federal Assistance:

- In response to the extreme hardships they faced, some groups of Dust Bowl farmers organized marches on Washington, D.C.

- They sought federal assistance and relief programs to help them survive through the crisis.

- One of the most notable events was the "Bonus Army" march of World War I veterans and their families during the Great Depression, although this wasn't exclusively composed of farmers.

4. Adopting More Productive Farming Techniques:

- To combat soil erosion and land degradation, some farmers began adopting more sustainable and productive farming techniques.

- This included practices like contour plowing, crop rotation, and planting windbreaks to prevent further damage to the soil and conserve moisture.