When the Dust Bowl hit the nation during the 1930s, many sharecroppers, especially those in the Southern United States, faced extreme hardships due to drought and poor agricultural conditions. In search of better opportunities, a significant number of these sharecroppers migrated westward, particularly to California. This movement was part of a larger exodus often referred to as the "Okie" migration, as many of the displaced individuals were from Oklahoma and neighboring states. These migrants were commonly called "Okies," a term that initially had a derogatory connotation but was later used more broadly to refer to those who left the Dust Bowl for new beginnings in the West. The Okies faced various challenges, including discrimination and difficult living conditions upon their arrival in California.
What did many sharecroppers do when the Dust Bowl hit the nation? What were they called?
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