The works progress administration
In 1929 the stock market collapsed, crumbling the lives of the American people, rich and poor. The current president, Herbert Hoover, believed in a Laisses-Faire economy where the Government did not interfere with the economy. He believed that things would return to normal naturally. Unfortunately, it took too long for Hoover to begin to question this belief, which was right around the time of the presidential election. Franklin D. Roosevelt ran against him and won by a landslide, promising a New Deal. FDR immediately got to work putting his to action his New Deal by providing relief, recovery, and reform. One of the many things he did to rebuild the economy was to try to give as many people as possible jobs. Many programs were established, one of which was called the Works Progress Administration. (WPA)
This program employed over eight million jobless American citizens. It included mostly jobs that required manual labor but was targeted to people of all skill levels. This program took advantage of this opportunity to improve America physically. Countless trees were planted, roads, bridges, and highways constructed, and community buildings built. Schools, hospitals, parks, airports and playgrounds were all made by WPA workers. Many were also employed as teachers. Later on, any job conceivable was given. People were paid to photograph and write about the time period to document it, to be actors or musicians or even just to rake leaves. The idea was to get Americans working, and it absolutely did.
This program employed over eight million jobless American citizens. It included mostly jobs that required manual labor but was targeted to people of all skill levels. This program took advantage of this opportunity to improve America physically. Countless trees were planted, roads, bridges, and highways constructed, and community buildings built. Schools, hospitals, parks, airports and playgrounds were all made by WPA workers. Many were also employed as teachers. Later on, any job conceivable was given. People were paid to photograph and write about the time period to document it, to be actors or musicians or even just to rake leaves. The idea was to get Americans working, and it absolutely did.