Who were the "Okies"?

The term "Okies" specifically refers to the migrants from Oklahoma who left their homes during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and moved to California in search of work and better living conditions. The Dust Bowl was a period of severe drought and poor agricultural practices that led to disastrous farming conditions in the Great Plains, particularly affecting states like Oklahoma. As a result, many families were forced to abandon their farms and seek new opportunities elsewhere, primarily in California, which was perceived as a land of promise with job prospects, especially in agriculture.

This migration significantly influenced California's economy and culture during the 1930s and beyond, as these workers often faced hardship and discrimination but also contributed to the labor force and agricultural output in California. The term "Okie" has since evolved and sometimes carries a derogatory connotation, but it originally represented the resilience and determination of these migrants.