Northwest Region of the Public Works Administration, 1933-1934

The documents in this collection deal exclusively with Washington projects paid for by the Public Works Administration during the employment crisis of the Great Depression - primarily the Grand Coulee Dam. The documents illustrate the tensions between national politics, local businesses, and competing interested across the state, as politicians negotiated with diverse groups to orchestrate large projects like the dam at Grand Coulee. Importantly, note the absence of native voices in this federal file.

Teaching Tips:
The Columbia River features prominently in U.S. history from Lewis and Clark through the water rights issues of the twentieth century. The moment in its history highlights the growing role of the federal government in the West, along with the impact of a rapidly expanding population and increase demands for cheap electricity. How does this battle for a renewable resource compare to the government's energy policy and politics battles for renewable energy today?

Classroom-Based Assessments: Humans and the Environment, Technology Through the Ages, Government Revenue and Responsibility

Social Studies EALRs:
2. ECONOMICS The student applies understanding of economic concepts and systems to analyze decision-making and the interactions between individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies.

3. GEOGRAPHY The student uses a spatial perspective to make reasoned decisions by applying the concepts of location, region, and movement and demonstrating knowledge of how geographic features and human cultures impact environments.

5. SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS The student understands and applies reasoning skills to conduct research, deliberate, form, and evaluate positions through the processes of reading, writing, and communicating.