The Dust Bowl of the 1930s in the United States was primarily caused by a combination of severe drought and poor agricultural practices. Over-farming and the extensive use of deep plowing techniques in the Great Plains led to the depletion of topsoil, making the land vulnerable to erosion. When the drought hit, with lack of rainfall compounding the situation, strong winds picked up the exposed dirt, creating massive dust storms that devastated farms and rendered the land unproductive. This environmental disaster exacerbated the economic hardships of the Great Depression, leading to significant migration patterns as families sought better living conditions, particularly in California.