What was the primary cause of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma?

The primary cause of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma was drought conditions. During the 1930s, a prolonged period of severe drought afflicted the Great Plains, which included Oklahoma. This drought, coupled with high temperatures, led to the drying out of the soil. The combination of insufficient rainfall and the agricultural practices of the time—particularly the extensive plowing of native grasslands to plant crops—left the soil vulnerable to erosion. When strong winds swept through the area, they easily picked up the loose, dry soil, creating massive dust storms that devastated the landscape and agricultural productivity.

While factors such as overgrazing by cattle did contribute to soil degradation, the primary catalyst for the acute dust storm events that characterized the Dust Bowl was the severe drought that occurred during this time. This period had lasting impacts on the region, both environmentally and economically, motivating changes in farming practices and government intervention in agricultural management.