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[[Image:Wpa1.JPG|thumb|300px|WPA sewer crew]]

[[Image:WPA1.jpg|thumb|300px|WPA sewer crew in 1935]]

The '''Works Progress Administration''' (later '''Work Projects Administration''', abbreviated '''WPA'''), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not create a permanent agency.). It was the largest and most comprehensive [[New Deal]] agency, employing millions of people and affecting every locality. The WPA refused to allow any job training (which labor unions strongly opposed), with the result that WPA experience did not lead to better job opportunities.  It did reduce unemplyment by finding jobs for the least employable and most needy men and women--both black and white--in the country.

The '''Works Progress Administration''' (later '''Work Projects Administration''', abbreviated '''WPA'''), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not create a permanent agency.). It was the largest and most comprehensive [[New Deal]] agency, employing millions of people and affecting every locality. The WPA refused to allow any job training (which labor unions strongly opposed), with the result that WPA experience did not lead to better job opportunities.  It did reduce unemplyment by finding jobs for the least employable and most needy men and women--both black and white--in the country.

WPA continued and extended the [[FERA]] relief programs started by [[Herbert Hoover]] and continued under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].  Headed by [[Harry Hopkins]], the WPA provided jobs and income to millions of unemployed during the [[Great Depression]]. It built many public buildings and roads, and as well operated a large arts project. Until it was closed down by Congress in 1943, it was the largest employer in the country — indeed, the largest employer in most states. Only unemployed people on relief were eligible for most of its jobs. The hourly wages were the prevailing wages in the area, but workers could not work more than 30 hours a week. Before 1940, there was no training involved to teach people new skills.  

WPA continued and extended the [[FERA]] relief programs started by [[Herbert Hoover]] and continued under [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].  Headed by [[Harry Hopkins]], the WPA provided jobs and income to millions of unemployed during the [[Great Depression]]. It built many public buildings and roads, and as well operated a large arts project. Until it was closed down by Congress in 1943, it was the largest employer in the country — indeed, the largest employer in most states. Only unemployed people on relief were eligible for most of its jobs. The hourly wages were the prevailing wages in the area, but workers could not work more than 30 hours a week. Before 1940, there was no training involved to teach people new skills.  

==Overview==

==Overview==

===Types of Projects===

===Types of Projects===

About 75 percent of employment and 75 percent of WPA expenditures went to public facilities such as highways, streets, public buildings, airports, utilities, small dams, sewers, parks, libraries, and recreational fields.  The WPA built 650,000 miles of roads, 78,000 bridges, 125,000 buildings, and 700 miles of airport runways.  Seven percent of the budget was allocated to arts projects, presenting 225,000 concerts to audiences totaling 150 million, and producing almost 475,000 artworks.<ref>Meriam (1946)</ref>

About 75 percent of employment and 75 percent of WPA expenditures went to public facilities such as highways, streets, public buildings, airports, utilities, small dams, sewers, parks, libraries, and recreational fields.  The WPA built 650,000 miles of roads, 78,000 bridges, 125,000 buildings, and 700 miles of airport runways.  Seven percent of the budget was allocated to arts projects, presenting 225,000 concerts to audiences totaling 150 million, and producing almost 475,000 artworks.<ref>Meriam (1946)</ref>

===Employment===

===Employment===

[[Image:Wpa-sew.JPG|thumb|230px|left|Sewing projects were set up for women.]]

[[Image:Wpa-sew.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Sewing projects were set up for women.]]

The goal of the WPA was to employ most of the unemployed people on relief until the economy recovered.  Harry Hopkins testified to Congress in January 1935 why he set the number at 3.5 million, using FERA data. At $1200 per worker per year he asked for and received $4 billion.  

The goal of the WPA was to employ most of the unemployed people on relief until the economy recovered.  Harry Hopkins testified to Congress in January 1935 why he set the number at 3.5 million, using FERA data. At $1200 per worker per year he asked for and received $4 billion.  

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