Okies in California: History and Impact

The Dust Bowl forced many from the central plains to migrate, primarily to California, in search of work. This mass migration, particularly from Oklahoma, led to the term 'Okies.' Despite hopes for fruit-picking jobs, the Okies faced low wages and poor living conditions. They were often unwelcome in California, living in makeshift camps with poor sanitation. John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath' highlighted their plight. Eventually, the U.S. government provided aid through organized camps. Over time, the term 'Okie' evolved from an insult to a badge of pride for many Oklahomans.

What was a common destination for those leaving the Dust Bowl region?

• New York

• Florida

• Texas

• California

How did writers of the era describe the highways between Oklahoma and California?

• A military route

• A quiet road

• A parade of cars

• A deserted path

What nickname was given to the migrants from Oklahoma?

• Dusties

• Texans

• Okies

• Sooners

Why were wages low for the Okies in California?

• Lack of skills

• Government regulations

• Surplus of laborers

• High demand for workers

What were the makeshift villages where Okies lived called?

• Fruit Camps

• Little Oklahomas

• Little Californias

• Dust Towns

What diseases became widespread in the Okie communities?

• Tuberculosis and Polio

• Typhus and Diphtheria

• Malaria and Cholera

• Influenza and Measles

Who wrote 'The Grapes of Wrath' to highlight the Okies' plight?

• Mark Twain

• John Steinbeck

• F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Ernest Hemingway

What did the U.S. government establish to help the Okies?

• Schools

• Camps

• Hospitals

• Factories

By 1941, how many camps were established for the Okies in California?

• 5

• 20

• 10

• 13

How has the term 'Okie' evolved over time?

• Became a legal term

• Remained an insult

• Lost its meaning

• Became a term of pride