Public Works Administration Purpose (PWA)
During the Great Depression, the Public Works Administration (PWA) was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. It was created to put Americans back to work by providing them with jobs in the construction industry. The PWA also built or improved public works projects such as roads, bridges, parks, airports, etc. We will explore the purpose of the PWA.
What was the Public Works Administration and what was its purpose?
What is the PWA (Public Works Administration)?
The Public Works Administration (PWA) was an American New Deal agency in the 1930s that invested in public works projects like infrastructure and construction. It was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 as part of his New Deal program to put people to work during the Great Depression.
The New Deal comprises of reforms (especially in the financial sector) and regulations, public work programs and projects that were setup with the aim of reviving the economy of the United States following the great depression.
Over its existence, the PWA funded the construction of more than 34,000 projects, including highways, bridges, hospitals, schools, and housing developments. The PWA was abolished in 1939 after Congress failed to renew its funding.
What was the main goal of the public works administration?
During its existence from 1933 to 1939, the PWA funded the construction of more than 34,000 projects, including highways, bridges, parks, public housing developments, and airports. These projects provided jobs for more than 3 million Americans and helped improve the quality of life in communities across the country.
Related: Structural Unemployment
Public Works Administration Purpose
The purpose of the Public Works Administration was to stimulate the economy by creating jobs during the Great Depression. It succeeded in building roads, bridges, airports, and other public works projects.
Was the purpose of public works administration successful?
While the PWA was successful in its goals, it was also criticized for wastefulness and corruption. Some projects that were completed were not needed or used, and cost overruns were common. Despite these criticisms, the PWA was an important part of the New Deal and helped stimulate the economy during the Great Depression.
What was the purpose of setting up the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration?
The Works Progress was responsible for constructing or repairing local roads, bridges, and public buildings; planting trees, and developing parks and playgrounds. It also ran programs that employed artists, writers, and musicians.
What did the public works administration do?
Conclusion
The main goal of the public works program was to create jobs while improving infrastructure. The agency put people to work on projects such as roads, bridges, dams, and public buildings. One of the most well-known PWA projects is the Hoover Dam.
Although the PWA was discontinued in 1939, it left a lasting legacy. Many of the roads and bridges built by the PWA are still in use today.
The WPA of the New Deal also provided training and employment for artists, writers, and musicians. It was segmented into different forms that targeted a specific group of people such as Youths, Women, and the Elderly.
