The Farm Security Administration: a look into those directly affected by the New Deal
The Farm Security Administration documented American life in the 1930’s. They sent photographers all over the US to --- how people were dealing with the conditions created by the Great Depression. FDR’s New Deal was not unanimously accepted, some people needed convincing that these programs were necessary and that people all over the nation were suffering. Bringing these images in from the frontier was eye opening. Once the FSA was making a difference it was important to illustrate how and to promote further involvement from both the federal government and those in need of relief.
Most people will instantly recognize the famous image of the “Migrant Mother”, this was taken by Dorothea Lange. Despair is evident on her face, but looking at another image by Lange that shows the entire small tent for a family of 9 is even more chilling. One realizes just how perilous the situation was for many Americans.
Seeing the plight of these Americans helped to garner support for the New Deal. For the people the FSA documented, knowing their story and needs were reaching the eyes and ears of those that held the power to make a difference meant hope.
Beyond documenting the American people in crisis the FSA participated in planned communities and established camps for those that needed assistance. The FSA put together exhibits to showcase all the ways that they could help. They were bringing healthcare, education and opportunities to the people that gravely needed it. They also lent money to farmers for equipment and crops.
Of the New Deal programs the FSA was the most controversial, the planned communities, sharing and cooperativeness all smelled too much like communism to some. But for those in need of relief it was a welcome reprieve. They all became part of the American story, the American collective culture. The idea that Americans could work their way through the hardest times and prosper defined what it meant to be American.
This is a different angle of the famous Migrant Mother captured by Dorothea Lange.
This is also the Migrant Mother, but this is the rest of the story. This is the family's camp. It is little more than a lean-to. Seeing the desperate situations of the people that the New Deal would affect is important in understanding why the reforms were so needed. These people needed hope.
The Library of Congress has no information on this poster beyond it belonging to the FSA collection. It seems to represent a typical FSA camp.
There is limited information from the Library of Congress regarding this poster. It states that it is an exhibit for a "mobile camp"
An FSA poster meant to inform people of other services that they provide.
This compelling image was taken by Russell Lee in Phoenix, Arizona. It's titled "Budding photographers, FSA (Farm Security Administration) Camelback Farms, Phoenix, Arizona".
These are schoolchildren at a farm workers' community, they are engaged in age appropriate activities.
Citation:
Library of Congress. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black-and-White Negatives. "Introduction." Accessed 12/4/19. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/
Top FSA Emblem Photo Credit: Farm Security Administration emblem. United States United States, None. [Between 1937 and 1942] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017761879/.