Farm Security Administration

Definition

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a New Deal agency established in the 1930s to combat rural poverty and promote agricultural recovery during the Great Depression. It is well-known for its photography project that documented the struggles and resilience of American farmers, capturing powerful images that highlighted social injustices. The FSA's work is significant in the evolution of social documentary photography and is often associated with the straight photography movement, focusing on realism and unembellished representation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The FSA was created in 1937 as part of the New Deal to help struggling farmers improve their conditions during the economic downturn.
2. One of the FSA's most significant contributions was its collection of over 175,000 photographs that documented rural life, hardships, and resilience.
3. Photographers like Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, and Gordon Parks played crucial roles in capturing the essence of American life under economic distress through their FSA assignments.
4. The FSA's photography aimed to not only document reality but also to raise public awareness about social issues, influencing public policy and support for agricultural reforms.
5. The images produced by the FSA have left a lasting legacy in both photography and art, inspiring future generations to utilize visual storytelling as a means to effect social change.

Review Questions

• How did the Farm Security Administration use photography as a tool for social change during the Great Depression?
  • The Farm Security Administration utilized photography to raise awareness about rural poverty and the struggles faced by American farmers during the Great Depression. By commissioning renowned photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, the FSA captured stark images that illustrated harsh realities and human dignity. These compelling photographs aimed to evoke empathy from the public and influence government policies focused on agricultural reform and support for struggling families.
• Discuss the impact of Dorothea Lange's work within the Farm Security Administration on the field of social documentary photography.
  • Dorothea Lange's work with the Farm Security Administration had a profound impact on social documentary photography by emphasizing emotional storytelling through her images. Her iconic photograph 'Migrant Mother' became emblematic of the era, showcasing not just hardship but also resilience and hope. Lange's ability to connect viewers with her subjects helped establish documentary photography as a powerful medium for raising social consciousness and promoting change.
• Evaluate how the principles of straight photography influenced the approach taken by photographers in the Farm Security Administration's projects.
  • The principles of straight photography significantly influenced photographers working for the Farm Security Administration by promoting an honest and direct representation of their subjects. This approach emphasized clarity, realism, and unembellished imagery, allowing photographers to depict raw truths about life during the Great Depression without manipulation or artistic enhancement. By adhering to these principles, FSA photographers were able to create compelling narratives that not only documented reality but also fostered a deeper understanding of social issues facing American farmers.

Related terms

Documentary Photography: A style of photography that aims to chronicle significant and historical events, often capturing social issues and the lives of individuals.

Dorothea Lange:

A prominent photographer for the FSA, best known for her poignant images of displaced farmers during the Great Depression, such as 'Migrant Mother'.

Straight Photography: An approach to photography that emphasizes unaltered, straightforward representation of subjects, often avoiding manipulation or artistic embellishment.