The Depression; 1930s

Immigration declined during the 1930s because of the Great Depression, the war in Europe, and the restrictive laws. The United States reached a period of time where there was zero growth from immigration. The Dust Bowl caused farmers to migrate out west. People who previously lived in Nebraska moved out to California.

The Dust Bowl was a drought during the 1930s. Farmers lost their crops and couldn’t pay to keep their farms. Since farmers lost their crops and farms, food was scarce.

Families moved to California because it was seen as “the land of milk and honey.” The pay in California was decent and the land was available. Farmers moved west to find jobs and food. Americans that had migrated to California from Oklahoma were called, “Okies” and mocked as “white trash.” President Roosevelt started the New Deal to help America get out of the Great Depression.