Migrant Workers During Great Depression — Reading Comprehension

The Great Depression of the 1930s caused severe economic hardship across the United States. One group particularly affected was migrant workers, people who traveled from place to place seeking temporary farm jobs. Several major factors, including the collapse of the farming economy and environmental disasters, pushed thousands of families to leave their homes and search for work in distant regions.

The Dust Bowl was a central cause of migration. Severe droughts and poor farming practices turned large areas of the Great Plains into dry, dusty fields, making farming nearly impossible. As crops failed, banks foreclosed on farms, and families were forced to move. Many traveled west to California and other states, hoping to find jobs picking fruits and vegetables. However, competition for these jobs was fierce. Wages were extremely low, and working conditions were harsh.

Migrant workers faced many challenges. They lived in crowded camps with little access to sanitation or healthcare. Local residents often viewed them with suspicion, fearing that the newcomers would take scarce jobs or strain public resources. Some landowners took advantage of migrant workers’ desperate situation by paying them less than promised or providing unsafe housing. A migrant worker described the situation in a 1935 letter: "We are starved, hungry, and cold. We have no place to go." This quote reveals the deep suffering and sense of hopelessness many migrants felt.

Not all perspectives on migrant workers were negative. Some people, including reformers and government officials, saw the migrants as victims of circumstances beyond their control. The federal government created programs to provide food, shelter, and medical care to migrant families. The Farm Security Administration (FSA), for example, built camps with better living conditions, which offered some relief. At the same time, local farmers and business owners sometimes resented the arrival of migrants, believing that their presence drove down wages for everyone.

The experiences of migrant workers highlight the complexity of the Great Depression. On one hand, migrants showed determination and resilience by traveling long distances to seek work and support their families. On the other hand, their arrival often caused conflict with local communities and exposed deep inequalities in American society. Some migrants formed close-knit communities, sharing resources and helping each other survive. Others struggled with loneliness and discrimination.

Government intervention was both a solution and a source of controversy. While FSA camps improved living conditions for some, not all migrants could access these services. Many continued to endure poverty and exploitation. Debates over how best to help migrant workers reflected broader disagreements about the government’s role in solving economic problems. These debates still influence policies today.

The legacy of migrant workers during the Great Depression is complex. Their experiences remind us of the challenges caused by economic and environmental crises. They also show how individuals and communities responded differently to hardship, sometimes with kindness and support, sometimes with fear and exclusion.

Interesting Fact: The famous photograph "Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange became an iconic symbol of the hardships faced by migrant families during the Great Depression.

What was the Dust Bowl?

Where did many migrant workers go?

Who took the 'Migrant Mother' photo?

Why did migrant workers leave their homes?

How did some local communities view migrants?

What was a solution for poor living conditions?

Migrant workers always had safe housing. True or false?

What does 'resilience' mean?