Thesis
This paper is on Civil Works Administration program of New Deal and its purpose. Also, uncover points such as who was CWA (Civil Works Administration program) supposed to help and how successful it was in accomplishment of its goals.
- What was Civil Works Administration? What was its purpose?
On 9th November 1933 CWA (Civil Works Administration) was created. While other plans like FERA were on planning phase, CWA was passed by the government for critical winter of 1933-34 to carry the nation pass it. It mainly planned to get unemployed population of 4 million for the winter. Local state government was responsible and sponsorship of CWA projects and people in dire need for work were made to fit in projects in their area. On 23rd November 1933, total 814,511 workers got checks working under CWA legislation. This number increased to 1,976,625 within next two weeks and by 18th January 1934 this number increased to 4,263,644 on payroll of CWA. With 80 percent of allocated funds to CWA were paid out in wages. CWA program was one of the rare programs which employed women as they were employed as sewing clothes, visiting nurses and preparing food cans for poor.
In its existence of four months, CWA program constructed or bettered roads of 500,000 miles, 3500 athletic fields and playgrounds, 1,000 airports and 40,000 schools. 50,000 teachers were employed in CWA program for rural schools and classes for adult education in cities. 3,000 writers and artists were also hired in this program and an estimated Billion dollars were spend in CWA program.
Q. Who or what was Civil Works Administration suppose to help?
Q. Was Civil Works Administration successful or did it fail in accomplishing its goals? CWA program was a temporary solution by government which involved jobs like high way repairs to ditch digging to teaching. CWA program created many jobs and provided hope, and livelihood for many, but it was heavily criticized for being too expensive and limited impact. In five months more than half billion dollars were spent which were over the initial projected cost of $400 million. The short solution was reached but it treaded path for future.
As per expectations of many CWA was not successful as earlier hoped to be revolutionary but it became evolution for future plans. Muck like New deal, CWA was quite unpopular among Republicans of “small government” as Federal Government became the chief employer of unemployed millions.
Q. Was Civil Works Administration temporary help with relief or recovery or is the program a major reform that is still with us today?
CWA program lasted only for 4 and half months and engaged 300,000 projects across country. This program was succeeded by Works Progress Administration (WPA) on 8th April 1935. President Roosevelt started getting concerned about having employed people on relief work permanently. In 1934 this program was dismantled after escalating expenses with wages spent increased more than $1 billion. He believed that any such program which kept millions on relief work would create a impression on people that Depression will never end.
Q. In your opinion was Civil Works Administration a good idea?
CWA program was a good idea for American people as more than 4 million workers got physical and psychological boost in additional they also got long awaited employment after Depression. Also, it was evolutionary program which treaded light for the future.
Conclusion
CWA program was a good idea for American people as more than 4 million workers got physical and psychological boost in additional they also got long awaited employment after Depression.
As per expectations of many CWA was not successful as earlier hoped to be revolutionary but it became evolution for future plans.
References
Hopkins, H. L. 1936. Spending to save: the complete story of relief. Retrieved from. Seattle: University of Washington Press
Justice, C. (9/7/2007). The Civil Works Administration during the Great Depression. Retrieved from. http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/the-civil-works-administration-during-the-great-depression-62423/
New Deal Achievements. Retrieved from. http://www.fdrheritage.org/new_deal.htm
