Federal Emergency Relief Administration

Definition

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was a New Deal program established in 1933 to provide direct relief and work relief to the unemployed during the Great Depression. It was one of the first major federal efforts to address the economic crisis and provide assistance to those in need.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The FERA was established by the Federal Emergency Relief Act, which was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in May 1933.
2. The FERA provided grants to state and local governments to fund work relief programs, such as building roads, parks, and other public infrastructure.
3. The FERA also provided direct relief in the form of cash payments and food, clothing, and shelter to the unemployed and their families.
4. The FERA was one of the first major federal programs to address the widespread unemployment and economic hardship caused by the Great Depression.
5. The FERA was a precursor to the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was established in 1935 and expanded the federal government's role in providing work relief.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and goals of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) within the context of the First New Deal.
  • The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was a key component of the First New Deal, established in 1933 to provide direct relief and work relief to the millions of Americans who were unemployed and suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. The primary goals of the FERA were to address the immediate needs of the unemployed and their families through cash payments, food, clothing, and shelter, as well as to create jobs through government-funded work relief programs that built public infrastructure such as roads, parks, and other projects. The FERA was one of the first major federal efforts to directly intervene in the economic crisis and provide assistance to those in need, laying the groundwork for the expansion of the New Deal's social welfare programs in the years to come.
• Analyze the role of the FERA in shaping the federal government's approach to addressing the economic and social challenges of the Great Depression.
  • The establishment of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) marked a significant shift in the federal government's approach to addressing the economic and social challenges of the Great Depression. Prior to the New Deal, the government had largely taken a hands-off approach, leaving the responsibility for providing relief and assistance to state and local governments, as well as private charities. The FERA, however, represented the federal government's direct intervention in the crisis, providing grants to state and local governments to fund work relief programs and direct cash assistance to the unemployed. This new role for the federal government in addressing economic and social issues set the stage for the expansion of New Deal programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Social Security Act, which further solidified the government's responsibility for the welfare of its citizens. The FERA's success in providing immediate relief and creating jobs also demonstrated the potential for government-led initiatives to address the challenges of the Great Depression, paving the way for the broader New Deal reforms.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the FERA on the development of the modern welfare state in the United States.
  • The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) played a pivotal role in the development of the modern welfare state in the United States. By establishing the federal government's direct involvement in providing relief and assistance to the unemployed and their families, the FERA laid the groundwork for the expansion of social welfare programs in the years to come. The success of the FERA in addressing the immediate needs of those affected by the Great Depression demonstrated the potential for government-led initiatives to improve the lives of citizens and address systemic economic and social challenges. This set the stage for the creation of more comprehensive New Deal programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Social Security Act, which further solidified the government's role in providing a social safety net. The FERA's legacy can be seen in the modern welfare state, with its emphasis on government-funded programs that provide assistance to those in need, as well as the broader acceptance of the government's responsibility for the well-being of its citizens. The FERA's impact on the development of the welfare state continues to be felt today, as the United States grapples with new economic and social challenges.

Related terms

New Deal: A series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

Work Relief: Government-funded employment programs that provided jobs for the unemployed during the Great Depression, as an alternative to direct cash assistance.

Great Depression: A severe and prolonged economic downturn that affected much of the world, including the United States, in the 1930s.