Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

Definition

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was a New Deal agency established in 1933 to provide direct relief for the unemployed and those in need during the Great Depression. FERA aimed to alleviate hunger and hardship by distributing federal funds to state and local agencies, helping them to provide food, shelter, and employment opportunities. This program was critical in addressing the immediate crises faced by millions of Americans during this challenging economic period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FERA was created under the leadership of Harry Hopkins, who believed that direct relief was necessary for people suffering from the Great Depression.
2. In its first year, FERA distributed over $500 million in relief funds to states, which helped support food distribution and job creation initiatives.
3. FERA also laid the groundwork for other New Deal programs by establishing a network for state and local agencies to collaborate with federal authorities.
4. The administration emphasized providing work relief rather than just cash assistance, leading to the establishment of programs like the CWA.
5. FERA's funding significantly decreased after 1935 as other programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), took over many of its functions and focused more on long-term employment solutions.

Review Questions

• How did FERA influence state and local governments in their response to the Great Depression?
  • FERA played a crucial role in shaping how state and local governments responded to the economic crisis during the Great Depression. By providing significant federal funds directly to these governments, FERA enabled them to set up relief programs tailored to their specific needs. This financial support allowed local authorities to act quickly in distributing food, shelter, and assistance to those most affected by unemployment and poverty.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of FERA in addressing the immediate needs of Americans during the Great Depression.
  • FERA was generally effective in providing immediate relief to those suffering during the Great Depression. The agency's focus on direct aid ensured that millions received food and shelter when they needed it most. However, while it alleviated some short-term suffering, critics argued that FERA's reliance on cash assistance lacked a sustainable long-term solution for job creation and economic recovery. The transition from FERA to more robust programs like WPA reflected this shift towards focusing on employment rather than mere relief.
• Analyze the legacy of FERA within the broader context of New Deal policies and their long-term impact on American social welfare.
  • The legacy of FERA is significant within the context of New Deal policies, as it marked a shift in government responsibility for social welfare. By directly addressing the needs of the unemployed through financial aid, FERA set a precedent for federal involvement in social issues. Its emphasis on relief laid the groundwork for future programs that expanded social security measures and employment initiatives, ultimately shaping modern welfare policies. The approach taken by FERA influenced later legislation, including the Social Security Act, reinforcing the idea that government has a role in providing for citizens' basic needs.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of programs and policies initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at economic recovery and social reform.

Civil Works Administration (CWA): A short-lived U.S. government job creation program that was part of the New Deal, designed to provide temporary jobs for the unemployed in public works projects.

Social Security Act:

A 1935 law that created a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children, marking a significant expansion of the federal government's role in social welfare.