On May 6, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration, commonly known as the WPA. Established during the depths of the Great Depression, the WPA became one of the most ambitious and influential programs of Roosevelt’s New Deal. At a time when millions of Americans faced unemployment, poverty, and uncertainty, the agency offered not only jobs but also renewed hope for economic recovery and national unity.
The Great Depression began after the stock market crash of 1929 and quickly spread throughout the American economy. Banks failed, businesses closed, and unemployment reached staggering levels. By 1933, nearly one out of every four American workers was unemployed. Franklin D. Roosevelt entered office determined to restore confidence and provide direct relief to struggling citizens. His administration launched a series of programs collectively called the New Deal, aimed at stabilizing the economy and creating jobs. The WPA became one of the centerpiece programs of this effort.
Led by Harry Hopkins, the WPA focused on employing people in meaningful public works projects rather than simply distributing financial aid. Roosevelt believed Americans wanted the dignity of work, not charity. The agency hired millions of unemployed workers to build roads, bridges, schools, parks, airports, sidewalks, and public buildings across the country. Between 1935 and 1943, the WPA employed more than eight million Americans and transformed the nation’s infrastructure.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the WPA was its support for artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Through programs such as the Federal Art Project, Federal Writers’ Project, and Federal Theatre Project, thousands of creative professionals received employment during a time when artistic work had nearly disappeared. These programs produced murals, guidebooks, oral histories, plays, and performances that celebrated American culture and documented everyday life during the Depression era. Many future cultural icons benefited from WPA support early in their careers.
The WPA also had a lasting social impact. It provided opportunities for women and minority workers, although discrimination and unequal pay still existed in many areas. Schools, libraries, hospitals, and recreational facilities constructed through WPA projects improved communities nationwide. Many of these structures remain in use today, standing as physical reminders of the program’s enormous reach and ambition.
Despite its achievements, the WPA faced criticism from political opponents who argued that the federal government had become too large and expensive. Some critics claimed the program encouraged dependency or wasted taxpayer money. However, supporters argued that the WPA not only reduced suffering but also stimulated economic activity and restored morale during one of the darkest periods in American history.
The Works Progress Administration officially ended in 1943 as World War II created new industrial jobs and revived the economy. Yet its legacy continues to shape the United States. Roads, schools, bridges, parks, and works of art created under the WPA remain part of daily American life nearly a century later.
The creation of the WPA on May 6, 1935, represented more than a government program. It symbolized a national commitment to helping citizens rebuild their lives through meaningful work, public investment, and shared purpose during a time of extraordinary hardship.
Use This Figure in the Classroom
Discussion Questions
- Why did President Franklin D. Roosevelt believe government-funded jobs were necessary during the Great Depression?
- How did the Works Progress Administration change everyday life for Americans in the 1930s?
- Do you think programs like the WPA should exist during economic crises today? Why or why not?
Classroom Activity
Build Your Own WPA Project
Divide students into small groups and ask them to imagine they are leaders in a town during the Great Depression. Each group must design a WPA-style public works project that would improve their community. Students should explain:
- What they would build
- How many jobs it would create
- Why the project would help the public
Groups can present their projects as posters, sketches, or short presentations.
Debate Prompt
Should the federal government create large public jobs programs during times of economic hardship?
Assign students to argue either:
- Yes: Government intervention is necessary to protect citizens and rebuild the economy.
- No: Private businesses and local governments should handle economic recovery instead.
Writing Assignment Idea
Imagine You Worked for the WPA
Write a first-person journal entry from the perspective of an American worker employed by the WPA in 1935. Describe:
- Your daily work
- How the program changed your life
- What hopes you have for the future
Encourage students to include historical details about the Great Depression and New Deal programs.
Printable Quote
“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt