How and why travlers came to live and work on farms during The Great Depression

     In Of Mice and Men, The two main characters, George and Lennie are two migrant workers on a ranch in California during The Great Depression.  During The Great Depression the Dust Bowl wiped out the fertile land which many families farmed on and made their living off of.  For farmers this was devastating.  The drought lasted many years which killed all of the crops and in return caused many farmers to become bankrupt.  Some farmers during this time used farm animals such as oxen, but as the drought and heat continued to be a problem many of these animals died.  These farmers lost everything.  After losing everything and becoming bankrupt many farmers started for the west (the majority ending up in California).  The migrant workers fled to California because they wanted to go where there was work.  The crops in California were ready to be picked so the workers knew their help would be beneficial.  These migrant workers settled on farms where help was needed.  Most migrant workers were paid very little, but remember, a little was better than none.  Other migrant workers were paid in meals and in a place to stay.  Once there was no more work for the migrant workers they were forced to leave because many families could not afford to feed and provide a shelter to an aditional person.

 California Stars by Wilco

Important points to remember:

1.)  The Dust Bowl wiped out the fertile land and killed many of the farm animals.

2.)  Once farmers lost everything they fled to California to find work.

3.)  They chose California because they knew they would be in time for a ripe batch of crops that needed picking.

4.)  Some wokers were paid very little, while others were paid in meals and a shelter.

5.)  The workers were forced to move on when there was no more work for them.