Supporting American Jobs
The Works Progress Administration was one of Roosevelt's most defining New Deal programs. It helped to give millions of Americans secure jobs as well as bolster the arts. It is important to note that the WPA actually spent more than the cost of simple relief payments to Americans. However, the feeling of hope and self-worth it gave workers was arguably more valuable than money. Many workers had been without jobs for several years and the jobs given to them by the WPA were the first jobs they had in a long time.
The arts were not neglected at this time, either. Harry Hopkins, the leader of the WPA commissioned tens of thousands of artworks and sculptures that adorned public buildings.
The main drawbacks to the WPA was the temporary nature of the jobs. The WPA was not intended to last forever, and the wages were low. Nevertheless, the Works Progress Administration served to create American jobs as well as make the country a little better to live in.
Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/dustbowl-wpa/
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While the WPA was able to provide jobs for Americans, I wonder if it really was that important and significant of an organization. It was able to provide some jobs, but they really weren't the most steady or important jobs that are necessary for a functioning society. For example, on job that Fitzgerald was assigned was to count dogs in his Californian county (source: the American Pageant), so I wonder why this was seen as such a successful organization?
ReplyDeleteI think the real significance of the WPA is that it showed the country that Roosevelt was willing to take decisive action. Along with the rest of the first New Deal, the WPA was widely acknowledged as a temporary relief measure to get the country out of the Depression. In any case, people much preferred being paid to work over sacrificing their pride and directly receiving welfare, so any job was better than no job.
DeleteAlso, adding to your idea, when the workers had the feeling of hope that they would be able to have a job, it also helped them forget about the depression for that short period time. The jobs that were provided probably didn't pay much but it was something that would help the beginning to the road of recovery.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think the moral and psychological impacts of the WPA are important to consider. Though the jobs were temporary, they provided the unemployed with a sense of self- worth through giving back to the community. I think Roosevelt's reforms had done more to support workers that Hoover's administration.
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