The Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a government program created in 1935 during the New Deal to combat unemployment during the Great Depression. It provided jobs for millions of Americans through public works projects such as building roads, bridges, schools, and parks. The WPA also supported arts, education, and research efforts, employing artists, writers, and performers. Its goal was to stimulate the economy, improve the nation’s infrastructure, and give people meaningful work, helping communities recover socially and economically during a difficult period.