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The Works Progress Administration: The Great Depression And The Dust Bowl

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The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl had a huge impact on the lifestyle of the Americans. Initially, the stock market crashed (“The Great Depression”). Then, over the years, the economy went downhill. There were about thirteen million unemployed citizens. This era created many hardships and decisions on citizens in the United States. One of the programs that drastically changed the lives of civilians was the Works Progress Administration, or WPA. The WPA was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt, it offered work relief to people, and was broadened to include entertainment jobs, such as writers and actresses. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a candidate for presidency against Herbert Hoover. Roosevelt won and became the 32nd president (Leuchtenburg 17). …show more content…
Roosevelt changed its name on July 1, 1939, because he wanted to move the significance from welfare to more positive efforts. The new WPA concentrated on military projects to secure the United States, but Roosevelt ended the projects. Many civilians got an education from the teachers employed by the WPA. It changed the outcome of people’s lives. In 1945, Roosevelt died but the New Deal still rang through during the Great Depression. Roosevelt had changed the outcome of the United States. The 36th president, Lyndon Johnson, passed many laws that contributed to job training, federal employment, education, and highway construction. The Works Progress Administration achieved in employing 8.5 million civilians with a cost of 11 billion dollars. In conclusion, the Works Progress Administration assisted people in the United States to survive the 1930s. It was Roosevelt that came up with the New Deal, which consists of the Civil Works Administration, Public Works Administration, and Works Progress Administration. The WPA offered direct and work relief to civilians who needed it. Jobs varied, and there were many projects that included as many different jobs as they could. Entertainment jobs were helped and the diverse culture was kept during the Great Depression. The WPA ended in 1943 because of World War

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