Emergence Of Modern America: The Depression - Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), established in 1935, was a public works program that employed millions in building public infrastructure. It uniquely provided jobs for artists, photographers, writers, and actors, who were previously overlooked. Artists beautified public spaces with murals, actors entertained the public, and writers created state travel guides. WPA photographers, like Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, documented the American people's struggles during the Great Depression, creating a historical archive that highlights the resilience of the American spirit.

Describe the impact of Dorothea Lange's photograph of the migrant mother.

In what ways did the WPA create a lasting legacy for the American spirit?