Essay on Fsa Photography During the Great Depression

I glance amusedly at the photo placed before me. The bright and smiling faces of my family stare back me, their expressions depicting complete happiness. My mind drifted back to the events of the day that the photo was taken. It was Memorial Day and so, in the spirit of tradition my large extended family had gathered at the grave of my great grandparents. The day was hot and I had begged my mother to let me join my friends at the pool. However, my mother had refused. Inconsolable, I spent most of the day moping about sulkily. The time came for a group picture and so my grandmother arranged us all just so and then turned to me saying, Youd better smile Emma or youll look back at this and never forgive yourself. Eager to please and†¦show more content†¦Unemployment skyrocketed up to its peak of nearly twenty five percent of the population. Added to this was the series of dust storms terrorizing the mid-west. These storms destroyed most crops and left farmers destitute and home less. This resulted in a mass migration of mid-western farmers moving west to areas such as California to find work. These farmers became to be known derogatorily as Okies. Newly elected President Roosevelt began immediately to put programs into affect, which would halt the effects of the depression and aid those who were suffering. These programs became known as the New Deal. The purpose of the New Deal was to provide jobs for the unemployed and offer relief to the distressed. Programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) put millions of people to work building roads, dams, and other public works. One of these government programs was called the Farm Security Administration (FSA). The FSA was an agency intended to fight rural poverty during a period when the poor agricultural climate and plunging national economy was causing many rural farmers to leave their farms and homes to find work. The FSA also hired photographers as part of a public relations campaign. These photographers documented the lives and conditions of many of these stricken peoples. The purpose of these photographers was to provide visual evidence that there wasShow MoreRelatedThe Farmer Security Administration Office Of War Information1485 Words   |  6 Pagesexamining American photography you must discuss the Farmer Security Administration-Office of War Information, also referred to as the FSA/OWI. This administration was the single and most significant documentary photography project in the history of United States. Photographs taken by members of the FSA/OWI all display and represent American society in different ways to help give a better understanding of major historic events occurring in the United States at this time. The members of the FSA use many formalRead MoreA Brief Note On Dorothea Lange s Migrant Mother1705 Words   |  7 Pagesphotographs to be taken in the Great Depression era. 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