Federal Emergency Relief Administration

Definition

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was a New Deal program established in 1933 during the Great Depression to provide direct relief to the unemployed and their families. It aimed to alleviate the suffering caused by the economic crisis through financial aid and employment opportunities, thereby addressing both immediate needs and the longer-term goal of economic recovery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FERA was one of the first federal relief programs created under the New Deal, led by Harry Hopkins, who emphasized immediate aid to those in need.
2. It distributed over $3 billion in direct relief to states for distribution to local agencies, enabling them to provide food, shelter, and other necessities.
3. The administration also focused on creating job opportunities through various projects, helping to reduce unemployment rates during the Great Depression.
4. FERA marked a shift in government policy by taking a more active role in social welfare, laying the groundwork for future federal relief programs.
5. By 1935, FERA transitioned its efforts into programs like the Works Progress Administration, reflecting an evolving strategy from direct relief to job creation.

Review Questions

• How did the Federal Emergency Relief Administration address the immediate needs of Americans during the Great Depression?
  • FERA addressed the immediate needs of Americans by providing direct financial assistance to unemployed individuals and families. This program enabled local agencies to distribute aid effectively, ensuring that those suffering from poverty had access to basic necessities such as food and shelter. By focusing on immediate relief, FERA played a critical role in alleviating the harsh impacts of the Great Depression on vulnerable populations.
• Discuss the long-term effects of FERA's establishment on federal government involvement in social welfare programs.
  • The establishment of FERA significantly influenced the role of the federal government in social welfare by marking a shift towards more direct involvement in citizens' well-being. It set a precedent for future relief programs that aimed not only at immediate aid but also at promoting economic stability. This increased federal engagement established a framework for later social safety nets, highlighting an evolving understanding of government's responsibility towards its citizens during times of economic crisis.
• Evaluate how FERA's strategies were integrated into subsequent New Deal initiatives and their impact on economic recovery during the 1930s.
  • FERA's strategies laid the foundation for subsequent New Deal initiatives by shifting focus from merely providing aid to also creating job opportunities through work programs. The transition of FERA's functions into larger agencies like the Works Progress Administration showcased this integration, emphasizing employment as a means to stimulate economic recovery. These efforts not only addressed immediate unemployment but also contributed to long-term infrastructure improvements, which played a vital role in revitalizing the American economy during the 1930s.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of programs and policies enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at combating the Great Depression and promoting economic recovery.

Civilian Conservation Corps:

A New Deal program that provided jobs for young men in conservation projects, helping to improve infrastructure and natural resources while also reducing unemployment.

Works Progress Administration:

A New Deal agency that employed millions of people to carry out public works projects, such as building roads, bridges, and parks, thus providing jobs and stimulating economic growth.