David Laskin delves into the socioeconomic factors that influenced who survived and who perished in the Children’s Blizzard. How did factors such as age, occupation, and socioeconomic status impact survival rates, and what does this reveal about society in late 19th-century America?

Laskin discusses the role of weather forecasting (or lack thereof) in the tragedy of the Children’s Blizzard. How did the limitations of weather science at the time contribute to the disaster, and how have advancements in meteorology changed our ability to predict and prepare for such events today?

The Children’s Blizzard affected immigrants and settlers in the American Midwest differently than established communities, especially those families trying to establish a homestead in the prairie. What insights does this provide into the immigrant experience on the Great Plains?