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WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION (WPA)

Introduction

The Works Progress Administration, abbrieviated the WPA, was in place from 1935 to 1939 under President Roosevelt's "New Deal." The WPA was headed by Harry L. Hopkins ("More about the WPA"). This program aimed to provide useful work to the unemployed and preserve the skills and self-respect of the citizens. FDR believed that the higher wages for the workers would stimulate the economy by providing purchasing power to the people ("Works Progress Administration (WPA)" - Encyclopedia Britannica). 

Programs

The WPA worked through many projects and programs to provide jobs for the unemployed and improve the nation as a whole in such a state of distress. The organization focused on improving or building thousands of highways, streets, bridges, public buildings, parks, and airports. It also created the Federal Writers' Project, the Federal Arts Project, the Professional Projects Division, and the Federal Theatre Project. These projects did a lot to better the public and individuals, including, writing books and newspapers, decorating public buildings, and bringing music and theater to communities across the country ("More about the WPA").

Success or failure?

The Works Progress Administration was characterized by both successes and failures, but overall, the program was a success. The WPA provided jobs for 8.5 million Americans during the Great Depression. The government had to provide about $11 billion to give jobs and projects ("More about the WPA"). During the last year of the WPA's implementation, mismanagement and abuse of the program increased, workers' wages dropped, and a strike broke out. The unemployment rates nearly disappeared altogher by this time with the booming economy of World War II, so the Works Progress Administration was discontinued (Britannica). The WPA paid low wages during the Depression and could not employ everyone, but it did work to raise the self-esteem and hope of its workers ("The Works Progress Administration (WPA)" - PBS). The WPA improved public systems across the country and benefitted the nation as a whole as well as boosted individual morale. 

 

Impact

The WPA did not bring about long term relief and reform. It provided hope for individuals during the Depression, giving them a job, and it improved various systems throughout the nation. However, the WPA did not end the Great Depression and was terminated in 1939 when the economy was kick-started by WWII ("Works Progress Administration (WPA)" - Britannica). The Works Progress Administration is no longer in place and neither are any of its programs. It gave immediate relief and some recovery from the Depression with jobs for individuals and national goals. The WPA did not represent a purely conservative or purely liberal standpoint. Showing liberal values, it provided equality, with the same wages for both men and women, and providing jobs for blacks as well ("The Works Progress Administration (WPA)" - PBS). It also provided a larger role for the government because the people now relied on this federal power to provide their jobs and well-being. However, the WPA also reflected conservative ideals with opportunity for individuals to get back on their feet and into the working world again. Overall, the WPA was a success and brought about jobs, opportunities, hope, and national improvement for the country and individuals during the Great Depression. 

Bibliography

Images:

http://foundsf.org/index.php?title=W.P.A._Construction_in_San_Francisco_(1935-1942) 

http://www.wolfsonian.org/explore/collections/usa-work-program-wpa
http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/money_17.html

http://philipstown.info/2011/02/11/works-progress-administration-ii/

http://docsteach.org/documents/594956/detail

 

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