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Native Americans
Native Americans moved from Canada to pick crops in Washington state. They came with their supplies to pick fruit. -
Stock Market Crash
The crash in 29 devastated the economy causing The Great Depression. -
"Okies" and "Arkies"
These workers came from the Midwest from states such as the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. These workers had to search for jobs because of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. They went to California, Arizona, and even Florida to work in orchards. -
Filipino Workers
There was a spike in Filipinos working in the fields. -
Dustbowl
The dust bowl took place in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.
The three main causes were poor farming techniques, wind, and drought. This unexpected phenomenon had a major impact financially on farmers. Many lost their livestock, profits, and farms had to foreclose. This lasted a decade. -
Of Mice and Men
Publication Date -
U.S. Entering WWII
More men going off to war opened up more migrant jobs. -
Bracero Program
This program came into affect to allow Mexicans to come into America with a short-term contract. Around 4.6 millions came into America to find labor jobs all across the states within a 20 year time span. The crops they picked included cucumbers, cotton, sugar beets and tomatoes Even though they did have a job with a salary, they had to deal with racism and poor living conditions. -
Cesar Chavez
He supported migrant workers receiving fair rights, that he encouraged others to join his movement. Chavez worked as the middle man who help negotiate better treatment for the workers. Later he founded the National Farmers Workers Association. His movement included strikes, boycotts, and marches. -
Illegal Workers
Many workers from Mexico came to America looking for work, which caused a rise in undocumented workers trying to find a job. However, due to advancements in technology, many jobs were taken over by a machine who could produce crops more efficiently such as cotton. -
Lations
They moved to Texas and California from Mexico and Central America. This ethnic group dominated the industry in the 80's making up most migrant workers. The crops they picked included fresh fruit because cotton, peas, and beans didn't need to be hand-picked anymore. -
Revolutionized Work in the Fields
Minors were not allowed to work in the fields anymore. The crops being picked were cherries, peas, and still cotton.
