Final answer:
Okies were migrants from Oklahoma who moved to California during the 1930s due to economic difficulties caused by the Dust Bowl. The term 'Okies' was used by existing farmworkers to distinguish and criticize the newcomers. This migration led to tensions between predominantly white Okies and Asian and Hispanic farmworkers in California.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1930s, a large number of people migrated from Oklahoma to California due to the severe economic crisis caused by the Dust Bowl. These individuals were predominantly white and were seeking employment opportunities. The existing farmworkers, who were mainly Asians and Hispanics, derisively labeled the newcomers as 'Okies,' regardless of their actual state of origin. This term was used to distinguish the migrants from the native Californians and to express negative sentiment towards them. The tensions between the different groups were rooted in competition for scarce jobs and resources.