Arkies

Definition

Arkies, also known as Arkansans, were a group of impoverished farmers and laborers who migrated from the Ozark Mountains region of Arkansas during the Great Depression. They were forced to leave their homes and seek work elsewhere due to the economic devastation caused by the economic downturn.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Arkies were forced to leave their homes in the Ozark Mountains due to the economic devastation of the Great Depression, which led to widespread poverty and the failure of small farms.
2. Many Arkies migrated to California, where they faced discrimination and harsh living conditions in migrant worker camps, similar to the experiences of the Okies from Oklahoma.
3. The Arkies' plight highlighted the broader human toll of the Great Depression, as millions of Americans were displaced and forced to seek work elsewhere.
4. The Arkies' migration was part of a larger pattern of internal migration within the United States during the Great Depression, as people from rural areas sought work in urban centers or other regions.
5. The Arkies' struggles and the hardships they faced as migrant workers helped to raise awareness of the social and economic challenges facing the rural poor during the Great Depression.

Review Questions

• Explain the factors that led to the migration of the Arkies from the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression.
  • The Arkies, or Arkansans, were forced to leave their homes in the Ozark Mountains region of Arkansas due to the severe economic hardship and agricultural failure caused by the Great Depression. The economic downturn and the resulting poverty led to the collapse of small farms and businesses in the Ozarks, leaving many Arkies without work or the means to sustain themselves. This displacement of the rural poor, similar to the experiences of the Okies from Oklahoma, highlighted the broader human toll of the Great Depression and the need for greater support and assistance for those affected by the economic crisis.
• Describe the challenges and discrimination faced by the Arkies as migrant workers in California and other western states.
  • The Arkies, like the Okies from Oklahoma, faced significant challenges and discrimination as migrant workers in California and other western states. They were often forced to live in substandard migrant worker camps, with poor living conditions and limited access to basic services. Additionally, they encountered prejudice and hostility from local residents who saw them as outsiders and a threat to their own economic well-being. The plight of the Arkies and other migrant workers during the Great Depression brought attention to the social and economic challenges facing the rural poor and the need for greater support and protection for these vulnerable populations.
• Analyze the broader significance of the Arkies' migration and their experiences as migrant workers in the context of the Great Depression.
  • The migration of the Arkies from the Ozark Mountains region of Arkansas during the Great Depression was part of a larger pattern of internal displacement and migration within the United States, as millions of Americans were forced to seek work and better living conditions elsewhere. The Arkies' struggles and the hardships they faced as migrant workers in California and other western states highlighted the devastating human toll of the economic crisis, as the rural poor were disproportionately affected. The Arkies' experiences, similar to those of the Okies, helped to raise awareness of the social and economic challenges facing marginalized communities during the Great Depression and the need for greater government intervention and support. The Arkies' plight also contributed to the growing understanding of the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality in order to build a more resilient and equitable society.

Related terms

Dust Bowl: A region in the Great Plains that experienced severe drought and soil erosion during the 1930s, leading to massive dust storms and agricultural failure.

Okies: Migrant workers from Oklahoma who fled the Dust Bowl and traveled to California and other western states in search of work during the Great Depression.

Migrant Worker: A person who moves from place to place, often following seasonal agricultural work, in search of employment and better living conditions.