The Works Progress Administration, known by the acronym WPA, was one of the many programs initiated by the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the devestating effects of the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration was established by Executive Order No. 7034, dated May 6, 1935. This action was taken by the President under the authority of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved April 8, 1935. The Emergency Relief Appropriation Act signaled the withdrawal of the federal government from the area of direct relief, which was left to the states and local communities, and provided for the establishment of a large-scale national works program for jobless employables, who were required to meet a means test in order to qualify for work relief. Established as the major agency of the program was the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which beginning in 1939 was called the Works Projects Administration . As originally designed, the WPA was to have two important functions. First, it was to operate a nation-wide program of "small useful projects" designed to provide employment for needy employable workers. Second, it was to coordinate the activities of the "Works Program." About 85% of the funds spent on WPA programs went directly into wages and salaries. John K. Jennings was Indiana's WPA administrator during the late 1930's and early 1940's. In 1963, Jennings donated a collection of materials covering the period of 1924-1956 to Indiana University's Lilly Library. This on-line exhibition draws from these materials, and highlights some of the many projects undertaken by the WPA in Indiana during Jennings' tenure as state administrator. Included in this exhibit are written documents, photographs, and audio and film clips taken from the Jennings collection which show some of the many different roles the WPA played in Indiana during the late depression years.
When created?
-2nd New Deal
When ended?
-June 30, 1943
Purpose
-It was to provide jobs for the unemployed who were able to work. Congress authorized the WPA in 1935 for employment on useful projects. (779 Kennedy)
How?
-It was not a program for the aged, handicapped or other unemployables, all of whom would be helped by state and local governments, but rather it provided assistance to people who simply could not find a job. Sometimes called a “make work” program, the WPA eventually employed approximately one-third of the nation’s 10,000,000 unemployed, paying them about $50.00 a month.
Whom Helped?
-The WPA's positive results for the public good and its popularity helped Franklin D. Roosevelt to garner a thumping electoral victory in 1936, even though the agency employed no more than about 25 percent of the nation's jobless.
Whom Hurt?
-Republicans accused FDR of using WPA jobs as political patronage, building up local Democratic bosses and politicians in return for support of national programs. Machine bosses took advantage. For example, in New Jersey, WPA workers were required to give 3% of their meager wages to the Democratic machine of Frank Hague. WPA workers in Chicago were instructed on who to vote for by Democratic boss Edward J. Kelley, an enthusiastic supporter of Roosevelt.
Was it successful?
-Whether the WPA was successful in accomplishing its goals is debatable, but the stories told by the buildings, documents, and historic images are a valuable part of our cultural heritage. Many of the works created from WPA projects have made our homes and communities what they are today. WPA was more like progressive than liberal.
-2nd New Deal
When ended?
-June 30, 1943
Purpose
-It was to provide jobs for the unemployed who were able to work. Congress authorized the WPA in 1935 for employment on useful projects. (779 Kennedy)
How?
-It was not a program for the aged, handicapped or other unemployables, all of whom would be helped by state and local governments, but rather it provided assistance to people who simply could not find a job. Sometimes called a “make work” program, the WPA eventually employed approximately one-third of the nation’s 10,000,000 unemployed, paying them about $50.00 a month.
Whom Helped?
-The WPA's positive results for the public good and its popularity helped Franklin D. Roosevelt to garner a thumping electoral victory in 1936, even though the agency employed no more than about 25 percent of the nation's jobless.
Whom Hurt?
-Republicans accused FDR of using WPA jobs as political patronage, building up local Democratic bosses and politicians in return for support of national programs. Machine bosses took advantage. For example, in New Jersey, WPA workers were required to give 3% of their meager wages to the Democratic machine of Frank Hague. WPA workers in Chicago were instructed on who to vote for by Democratic boss Edward J. Kelley, an enthusiastic supporter of Roosevelt.
Was it successful?
-Whether the WPA was successful in accomplishing its goals is debatable, but the stories told by the buildings, documents, and historic images are a valuable part of our cultural heritage. Many of the works created from WPA projects have made our homes and communities what they are today. WPA was more like progressive than liberal.