Federal Emergency Relief Administration facts for kids
 Camp for unemployed women in Pennsylvania (1934) |
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 1933 |
| Preceding |
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| Dissolved | December 1935 |
| Superseding agency | |
| Employees | Provided work for over 20 million people |
| Child agency | |
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was a special program created by the United States government in 1933. It was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's plan called the New Deal. FERA's main goal was to help millions of Americans who were struggling during the Great Depression.
Contents
What Was FERA?
FERA was officially formed in May 1933. It was created from the Federal Emergency Relief Act, a law passed by Congress. This program was set up to provide quick help to people across the country.
Helping During the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a time when many people lost their jobs and homes. Businesses closed, and families struggled to find food. FERA was one of the first major programs to offer direct relief. It aimed to ease the suffering of millions of Americans.
How FERA Provided Aid
FERA worked by giving money to states and cities. This money was used to fund local relief efforts. From May 1933 to December 1935, FERA provided about $3.1 billion. This was a huge amount of money, equal to tens of billions of dollars today.
Jobs for Many Americans
One important way FERA helped was by creating jobs. It provided work for over 20 million people. These jobs often involved building useful things for the public. Workers helped construct roads, schools, parks, and other community facilities. This not only gave people an income but also improved public lands.
Supporting Women and Families
FERA also had special programs for women. These programs helped unemployed women find work and support their families. For example, Ellen S. Woodward directed FERA's women's programs. She later became an important administrator for other New Deal agencies.
FERA's End and Legacy
FERA was a temporary program. It was designed to provide immediate relief during the worst of the Depression. In December 1935, FERA was replaced by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA continued many of FERA's goals, creating even more jobs and public works projects. FERA played a key role in helping the United States recover from the Great Depression.
Images for kids
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Ellen S. Woodward directed FERA's women's programs and later became an administrator for the Works Progress Administration and Social Security Administration
See also
In Spanish: Federal Emergency Relief Administration para niños
