Title: Work Projects Administration | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
Beginning of work relief
Works Progress Administration is created
National Youth Administration
Congress Investigates Un-American Activities
Federal One
Federal Music Project
Federal Writers Project
Federal Art Project
Federal Theater Project
WPA comes to a close
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Works Progress Administration
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Works Progress Administration
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration

Content: Innovative and controversial, these programs spurred growth in American art. The Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in U.S. history, began with the crash of the stock market in late 1929. The economy steadily worsened in the early 1930s, and by 1933 over twelve million Americans—25 percent of the workforce—were unemployed. In the first few months of his presidency, Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, an array of government-sponsored social and economic programs designed to bring relief to the struggling nation. The WPA became a key program in the New Deal. From May 1935 to July 1943 the WPA provided millions of people with work. However, because of the overwhelming number of unemployed, the program was unable to reach many of those who were eligible. So millions more had to rely on state and local relief organizations, which were often ill prepared and unable to provide adequate help. Nevertheless, the WPA was immensely important to a great many people, putting money in their pockets and giving them hope for the future. It was a bold experiment in hard times.