Farm Security Administration

Definition

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was a New Deal agency created in 1937 to combat rural poverty and promote the welfare of farm families during the Great Depression. The FSA aimed to provide financial assistance, improve living conditions, and support agricultural production, while also documenting the struggles of rural Americans through photography and art, which profoundly influenced American art during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The FSA was originally established as the Resettlement Administration in 1935 but was renamed in 1937 to reflect its focus on improving the lives of impoverished farmers.
2. One of the key initiatives of the FSA was to provide low-interest loans to help farmers purchase land and improve their farms, which aimed to stabilize rural economies.
3. The FSA employed notable photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, whose works powerfully documented the hardships faced by rural Americans and became iconic representations of that era.
4. In addition to photography, the FSA also supported various art programs that encouraged artists to create works that highlighted social issues and reflected the realities of American life.
5. The legacy of the FSA's artistic initiatives is evident in how it shaped American art, influencing later movements that sought to engage with social and political themes.

Review Questions

• How did the Farm Security Administration influence American art during the Great Depression?
  • The Farm Security Administration had a significant impact on American art by commissioning artists and photographers to document the struggles of rural Americans. Through initiatives like the photography project led by Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, artists were able to capture authentic images that illustrated poverty and resilience in farming communities. This movement toward realism not only made people aware of social issues but also encouraged artists to address these themes in their work.
• In what ways did the policies of the Farm Security Administration align with the goals of Social Realism?
  • The policies of the Farm Security Administration aligned closely with Social Realism by focusing on improving conditions for everyday people, particularly struggling farmers. The FSA's efforts to document rural poverty through visual arts emphasized social issues and sought to raise awareness about the challenges faced by working-class Americans. This alignment created a platform for artists to engage with societal problems while pushing for reform through their work.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Farm Security Administration's artistic programs on subsequent American art movements.
  • The artistic programs initiated by the Farm Security Administration had lasting effects on subsequent American art movements by paving the way for a more socially conscious approach among artists. The documentation of real-life struggles encouraged future generations to tackle social justice issues through their art, influencing movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary activism in art. By establishing a precedent for artists as agents of change, the FSA contributed significantly to how art interacts with society today.

Related terms

New Deal: A series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.

Documentary Photography: A style of photography that seeks to chronicle events or environments in an informative and objective manner, often used by the FSA to capture the realities of rural life.

Social Realism: An artistic movement that aims to highlight social issues and the lives of everyday people, often depicting the struggles of the working class.