Works Progress Administration
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| Works Progress Administration | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Works Progress Administration |
| Formed | May 6, 1935 |
| Dissolved | June 30, 1943 |
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Parent agency | Federal Emergency Relief Administration |
Works Progress Administration was a New Deal agency established by Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs for millions of Americans affected by the Great Depression. The agency was created in 1935, with Harry Hopkins as its first administrator, and was responsible for implementing various programs and projects, including the Federal Theatre Project, Federal Art Project, and Civilian Conservation Corps. The Works Progress Administration worked closely with other agencies, such as the National Recovery Administration and the Public Works Administration, to provide relief and stimulate economic recovery. The agency's efforts were also supported by prominent figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, and Henry A. Wallace.
● History
The history of the Works Progress Administration began with the passage of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act in 1935, which allocated $4.8 billion for relief programs. The agency was established on May 6, 1935, and quickly got to work, hiring millions of Americans for various projects, including construction, arts, and literacy programs. The Works Progress Administration worked closely with state and local governments, as well as other federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Resettlement Administration. The agency's efforts were also influenced by the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. Notable figures, including John Steinbeck, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston, were involved in the agency's programs, which aimed to provide relief and stimulate economic recovery.
● Organization and Administration
The organization and administration of the Works Progress Administration were led by Harry Hopkins, who served as the agency's first administrator. The agency was divided into several divisions, including the Division of Professional and Service Projects, the Division of Engineering and Construction, and the Division of Finance. The Works Progress Administration also worked closely with other agencies, such as the United States Department of Labor and the United States Department of Agriculture, to provide relief and stimulate economic recovery. The agency's administration was also influenced by the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Prominent figures, including David Dubinsky, Sidney Hillman, and A. Philip Randolph, played important roles in shaping the agency's policies and programs.
● Programs and Projects
The Works Progress Administration implemented a wide range of programs and projects, including the Federal Theatre Project, which provided jobs for actors, writers, and directors, and the Federal Art Project, which employed artists and artisans. The agency also implemented the Civilian Conservation Corps, which provided jobs for young men in conservation and infrastructure projects. Other notable programs and projects included the National Youth Administration, the Works Progress Administration Food and Clothing Program, and the Works Progress Administration Housing Program. The agency's programs and projects were influenced by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Rural Electrification Administration. Notable figures, including Orson Welles, John Houseman, and Stuart Davis, were involved in the agency's programs, which aimed to provide relief and stimulate economic recovery.
● Impact and Legacy
The impact and legacy of the Works Progress Administration were significant, providing jobs for millions of Americans and stimulating economic recovery. The agency's programs and projects also had a lasting impact on American culture, including the development of the Federal Theatre Project and the Federal Art Project. The Works Progress Administration's efforts were also influenced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The agency's legacy can be seen in the work of notable figures, including Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, and Gwendolyn Brooks. The Works Progress Administration's impact on American society was also shaped by the Great Migration and the Dust Bowl.
● Notable Participants and Contributions
Notable participants and contributions to the Works Progress Administration included John Steinbeck, who worked as a writer for the Federal Theatre Project, and Langston Hughes, who worked as a writer for the Federal Writers' Project. Other notable participants included Zora Neale Hurston, who worked as a writer for the Federal Writers' Project, and Orson Welles, who worked as a director for the Federal Theatre Project. The agency's programs and projects also received contributions from notable figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, and Henry A. Wallace. The Works Progress Administration's notable participants and contributions were also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the American Federation of Labor. Prominent figures, including Martin Dies, Joseph McCarthy, and J. Edgar Hoover, also played important roles in shaping the agency's policies and programs.