What played a significant role in the economic downturn in Oklahoma during the Great Depression?

The Dust Bowl was a significant factor contributing to the economic downturn in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. This environmental disaster, which peaked in the 1930s, was the result of severe drought, improper agricultural practices, and high winds that led to the erosion of the topsoil. As a result, many farms could no longer be cultivated, forcing countless families into poverty as their primary source of income vanished.

The Dust Bowl led to widespread displacement, with many families leaving Oklahoma in search of better living conditions elsewhere, particularly California. This mass migration compounded the economic challenges faced by the state, as those who remained struggled with unemployment and a lack of resources. The combination of environmental degradation and the national economic crisis created a perfect storm that devastated Oklahoma's agricultural economy and contributed to the overall hardship of the era.