Okies and Arkies: A Historical Perspective on Migrant Agricultural Workers

Okie is a term historically used to describe a migrant agricultural worker, especially those from Oklahoma. Arkie is a similar term used to describe migrants from Arkansas.

Migration during the Great Depression

In the 1930s, there was a massive migration of people from the drought and cotton-growing states in the Midwest to the western states, particularly California.

Diversity of migrants

While the terms Okie and Arkie specifically referred to migrants from Oklahoma and Arkansas, respectively, they were often used more broadly to describe migrants from other states as well. The migrants included people from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Impact on California

California received a significant number of migrants from the Southwest, with more than 250,000 migrants arriving between 1935 and 1940. The term “Okie” was used to denote any poverty-stricken migrant from the Southwest, regardless of their state of origin.

Reasons for migration

The migration was driven by various factors, including the economic hardships caused by the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, agricultural challenges, and the search for better opportunities in the Far West.

Sources

FAQs

What is the definition of Okies and Arkies?

Okies are historically referred to as migrant agricultural workers, particularly those from Oklahoma. Arkies, on the other hand, are migrants from Arkansas.

Why was there a significant migration of people during the Great Depression?

The Great Depression brought about economic hardships and environmental challenges, such as the Dust Bowl, which led to a mass migration of people from the drought and cotton-growing states in the Midwest to the western states.

Were Okie and Arkie terms exclusively used for migrants from Oklahoma and Arkansas?

While Okie and Arkie specifically described migrants from Oklahoma and Arkansas, respectively, they were often used more broadly to refer to migrants from other states as well. The migration included individuals from states like Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

What was the impact of Okie and Arkie migrations on California?

California experienced a significant influx of migrants from the Southwest, with over 250,000 migrants arriving between 1935 and 1940. The term “Okie” was commonly used to describe poverty-stricken migrants from the entire Southwest region, regardless of their specific state of origin.

What were the reasons behind the migration of Okies and Arkies?

The migration was primarily driven by a combination of factors, including the economic hardships caused by the Great Depression, environmental challenges like the Dust Bowl, agricultural difficulties, and the search for better opportunities in the western states.