Works Progress Administration

Definition

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a New Deal agency established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs and income to millions of Americans during the Great Depression. It focused on creating public works projects and employing individuals in various sectors to stimulate the economy and provide relief to the unemployed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The WPA was one of the largest and most ambitious New Deal programs, employing over 8.5 million people at its peak in 1938.
2. The WPA funded a wide range of public works projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, public buildings, parks, and other infrastructure.
3. In addition to construction projects, the WPA also employed individuals in the arts, education, and social services sectors, providing jobs for writers, artists, and other professionals.
4. The WPA was designed to provide temporary employment and income to the unemployed, rather than long-term or permanent jobs, with the goal of stimulating the economy and providing relief during the Great Depression.
5. The WPA was eventually phased out in 1943 as the economy began to recover and the United States entered World War II, with many of its functions being taken over by other government agencies.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a key part of the New Deal and its impact on the economy during the Great Depression.
  • The WPA was a central component of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which aimed to address the economic and social challenges of the Great Depression through government intervention and public works projects. The WPA provided jobs and income to millions of unemployed Americans, helping to stimulate the economy by putting people back to work and funding the construction of critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and public buildings. This not only provided immediate relief but also laid the foundation for long-term economic growth and recovery during the difficult years of the Great Depression.
• Analyze the role of Keynesian economics in the development and implementation of the Works Progress Administration.
  • The economic theories of John Maynard Keynes, known as Keynesian economics, heavily influenced the creation and approach of the Works Progress Administration. Keynesian economics advocated for government intervention and spending to stimulate the economy during times of economic downturn, which aligned with the WPA's focus on providing jobs and funding public works projects. The WPA's emphasis on employing individuals and investing in infrastructure was a direct application of Keynesian principles, which challenged the prevailing laissez-faire economic policies and argued that active government involvement was necessary to address the challenges of the Great Depression.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Works Progress Administration on the development of varieties of liberalism in the United States.
  • The Works Progress Administration played a significant role in the development of varieties of liberalism in the United States. By providing jobs, income, and economic stimulus during the Great Depression, the WPA demonstrated the potential for government intervention and public works programs to address social and economic challenges. This approach, rooted in Keynesian economics, challenged the traditional conservative, laissez-faire liberalism that had dominated prior to the Great Depression. The success of the WPA and other New Deal programs paved the way for the emergence of modern American liberalism, which embraced a more active role for the government in regulating the economy and providing a social safety net. The WPA's legacy can be seen in the continued support for government-funded infrastructure projects, job creation programs, and social welfare initiatives that have become integral to the various strands of liberalism in the United States.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of economic programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s to address the Great Depression, including the creation of the WPA.

Public Works Administration (PWA): Another New Deal agency that focused on constructing large-scale public works projects, such as bridges, dams, and public buildings, in contrast to the WPA's emphasis on employing individuals.

Keynesian Economics: An economic theory developed by John Maynard Keynes that advocated for government intervention and spending to stimulate the economy, which influenced the creation of the WPA and other New Deal programs.