Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

In the 1930s, which factor most influenced the westward migration of thousands of people from the southern Great Plains?

1. Extended drought in farming areas

2. Excessive flooding of the Mississippi River

3. Destructive hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico

4. Serious earthquakes in Pacific coastal areas

The correct answer is: Extended drought in farming areas

The westward migration of thousands of people from the southern Great Plains in the 1930s was primarily influenced by extended drought in farming areas, commonly associated with the Dust Bowl. This severe drought caused catastrophic conditions for agriculture, leading to the failure of crops and the depletion of soil quality. Many farmers and their families faced dire economic circumstances, prompting them to seek better opportunities in more fertile areas such as California. The other factors listed, while significant in different contexts, did not have the same direct impact on the migration during this specific period. For instance, excessive flooding of the Mississippi River, destructive hurricanes, and serious earthquakes affected different geographical regions or times and did not drive the large-scale migration from the Great Plains as the drought did.