FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration)

• What did FERA stand for?

  The Federal Emergency Relief Administration
• When was FERA set up?

  May 1933
• Who was the leader of FERA?

  Harry Hopkins
• What was FERA's role?

  To help the unemployed with rough relief and work projects
• How much was spent by FERA under Harry Hopkins?

  Over $4000 million
• Why was FERA's impact limited?

  Many state authorities considered poverty to be as a result of laziness
• What was suggested by the Governor of Georgia?


  The unemployed be given a dose of castor oil
• How much did FERA pay?

  $25 a month
• What percentage of black Americans benefitted from FERA?

  1/3
• How many black Americans received help from FERA in 1935?

  3.5 million
• How did Southern States limit the impact of FERA?

  They made it harder for the black unemployed to get on welfare rolls and paid them less than whites arguing they had a lower standard of living so needed less money
• How much were black American vs White Americans given by FERA in Atlanta?

  White Americans were given $32 vs the $19 given to black Americans
• How much lower were FERA relief payments for black Americans in rural areas of Georgia and Mississippi?

  30% lower
• When was FERA closed down?

  1935, but the WPA continued to do some of its work